08 LC 29
3344
House
Bill 1415
By:
Representatives Ralston of the
7th,
Carter of the
175th,
Maddox of the
172nd,
Black of the
174th,
and Bearden of the
68th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 12 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to juries, so as to provide protection of certain juror information under
certain circumstances; to change certain provisions relating to juror
questionnaires; to change certain provisions relating to the examination of
jurors; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
12 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to juries, is
amended by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 15-12-11, relating to
appointment of court personnel in certain counties and juror questionnaires, as
follows:
"(b)
All prospective jurors in all counties may be required to answer written
questionnaires, as may be determined and submitted by the judges of such
counties, concerning their qualifications as jurors. In propounding the
questions, the judges may consider the suggestions of counsel. In the
questionnaire and during voir dire examination, judges should ensure that the
privacy of prospective jurors is reasonably protected and that the questioning
by counsel is consistent with the purpose of the voir dire process.
The judges
shall keep all jurors´ home telephone numbers and addresses confidential
unless good cause is shown to the court which would require such disclosure. If
the court discloses such information, the court may restrict the use of such
information."
SECTION
2.
Said
chapter is further amended by revising paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Code
Section 15-12-23, relating to clerk of board of jury commissioners, appointment
of court personnel in certain counties, and juror questionnaires, as
follows:
"(2)
All prospective jurors in such counties shall be required to answer
questionnaires as may be determined and submitted by said chief judge of such
counties concerning their qualifications as jurors.
The judge
shall keep all jurors´ home telephone numbers and addresses confidential
unless good cause is shown to the court which would require such disclosure. If
the court discloses such information, the court may restrict the use of such
information."
SECTION
3.
Said
chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 15-12-133, relating to the
right to individual examination of panel and matters of inquiry, as
follows:
"15-12-133.
In
all civil cases the parties thereto shall have the right to an individual
examination of the panel of jurors from which the jury is to be selected,
without interposing any challenge. In all criminal cases both the state and the
defendant shall have the right to an individual examination of each juror from
which the jury is to be selected prior to interposing a challenge. The
examination shall be conducted after the administration of a preliminary oath to
the panel or in criminal cases after the usual voir dire questions have been put
by the court. In the examination, the counsel for either party shall have the
right to inquire of the individual jurors examined touching any matter or thing
which would illustrate any interest of the juror in the case, including any
opinion as to which party ought to prevail, the relationship or acquaintance of
the juror with the parties or counsel therefor, any fact or circumstance
indicating any inclination, leaning, or bias which the juror might have
respecting the subject matter of the action or the counsel or parties thereto,
and the religious, social, and fraternal connections of the juror.
The court
shall keep all jurors´ home telephone numbers and addresses confidential
unless good cause is shown to the court which would require such disclosure. If
the court discloses such information, the court may restrict the use of such
information."
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.