Jury selection in a criminal case shall be governed by Fed. R. Crim. P. 23 and 24
and by such procedures established by the trial judge. In its discretion, the Court
may require potential jurors to complete a questionnaire before the formal voir
dire process commences.
A. Examination of Jurors Before Trial. During the examination of jurors
before trial, the Judge or a representative of the Clerk of Court conducting such
examination, shall state the following to the jurors collectively:
1. The name of each of the defendants and the names of the attorneys for
the parties; and
2. The nature of the case and the offenses charged.
B. Required Questions. The examination of jurors shall contain the following
questions, or questions substantially similar thereto:
1. Do you know any of the defendants?
2. Do you know any of the attorneys in the case? Have they or their firms
ever represented you or any members of your immediate family?
3. Do you know anything about this case?
4. (If appropriate) Are you or any member of your immediate family,
employees, former employees or stockholders in any of the corporations or
businesses involved in this case? The names of corporations and
businesses involved in this case are:
November 1, 2016 Local Rules of Court
Western District of Pennsylvania
5. Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by the
federal government (with the exception of military service)? What do they
do?
6. Are you or any member of your immediate family employed by any law
enforcement agency?
C. Questions to Individual Jurors. The following questions, where
appropriate, shall, inter alia, be put to each juror individually:
1. What is your present occupation?
2. Who is you employer?
3. If you are retired, who was your last employer and what was your
occupation?
4. Are you married? If so, what is your spouse's occupation and who is
your spouse's employer?
5. Do you have any children? Do any of them work in the Western District
of Pennsylvania? For whom do they work and what do they do?
6. Have you ever been a witness or defendant in a criminal case?
7. Have you ever been the victim of a crime?
8. Any other question which in the judgment of the Court shall be deemed
proper.
