(A) Any person called as a juror for the trial of any cause shall be examined under oath or upon affirmation as to the person's qualifications. A person is qualified to serve as a juror if the person is eighteen years of age or older, is a resident of the county, and is an elector or would be an elector if the person were registered to vote, regardless of whether the person actually is registered to vote.

(B) The following are good causes for challenge to any person called as a juror:

(1) That the person has been convicted of a crime that by law renders the person disqualified to serve on a jury;

(2) That the person has an interest in the cause;

(3) That the person has an action pending between the person and either party;

(4) That the person formerly was a juror in the same cause;

(5) That the person is the employer, the employee, or the spouse, parent, son, or daughter of the employer or employee, counselor, agent, steward, or attorney of either party;

(6) That the person is subpoenaed in good faith as a witness in the cause;

(7) That the person is akin by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth degree to either party or to the attorney of either party;

(8) That the person or the person's spouse, parent, son, or daughter is a party to another action then pending in any court in which an attorney in the cause then on trial is an attorney, either for or against any such party to another such action;

(9) That the person discloses by the person's answers that the person cannot be a fair and impartial juror or will not follow the law as given to the person by the court.

(C) Each challenge listed in division (B) of this section shall be considered as a principal challenge, and its validity tried by the court.

(D) In addition to the causes listed in division (B) of this section, any petit juror may be challenged on suspicion of prejudice against or partiality for either party, or for want of a competent knowledge of the English language, or other cause that may render the juror at the time an unsuitable juror. The validity of the challenge shall be determined by the court and be sustained if the court has any doubt as to the juror's being entirely unbiased.

Renumbered from § 2313.42 and amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.81, HB 268, §1, eff. 5/22/2012.

Prior History: (Former section repealed 10/9/1981.)