§ Rule 39.2 Juror Questionnaires

Rule 39.2. Juror Questionnaires

    In appropriate cases, the court may use case-specific juror questionnaires to gather information from prospective jurors in advance of jury selection. When case-specific questionnaires will be used, the court should require counsel to confer and attempt to reach agreement on the questions that will be included in the questionnaires. The court shall rule on inclusion or exclusion of any questions the court deems improper. The court shall note on the record the basis on which it overruled any objections to inclusion or exclusion of particular questions. The court shall confer with counsel concerning the timing and procedures to be used for disseminating questionnaires and collecting completed questionnaires from prospective jurors, as well as to permit counsel adequate time and opportunity to review the completed questionnaires thoroughly before jury selection will begin. In its discretion, the court may require that the costs of copying, disseminating and collecting the questionnaires be borne (1) by both parties, (2) by the party requesting use of the questionnaires, or (3) by the court. In the alternative, these expenses may be assessed against the losing party as part of the costs.