Arizona Bans Use of Peremptory Strikes in State Jury Trials

Arizona state courts will be the first in the country to eliminate peremptory strikes of jurors, the Arizona Supreme Court announced Monday.

The rule changes, which take effect Jan. 1, come as an attempt to improve the fairness of the jury selection process, according to a court news release. Peremptory strikes raise concerns of discrimination because attorneys can remove potential jurors without explanation.

Arizona will prohibit the practice for civil and criminal jury trials. The state had previously put temporary restrictions on peremptory challenges.

“Eliminating peremptory strikes of jurors will reduce the opportunity for misuse of the jury selection ...