60-247. Jurors.

60-247

Chapter 60.--PROCEDURE, CIVIL
Article 2.--RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

      60-247.   Jurors.(a) In all civil trials, upon the request of a party, the court shall causeenough jurors to be called, examined, and passed for cause before any peremptorychallenges are required, so that there will remain sufficient jurors, afterthe number of peremptory challenges allowed by law for the case on trialshall have been exhausted, to enable the court to cause twelve (12) or sufficientjurors to be sworn to try the case.

      (b)   Voir dire examination of jurors. Prospective jurors shall be examinedunder oath as to their qualifications to sit as jurors. The court shallpermit the parties or their attorneys to conduct an examination of prospective jurors.

      (c)   Challenges. In civil cases, each party shall be entitled to three(3) peremptory challenges, except as provided in subsection (h) of section60-248, as amended, pertaining to alternate jurors. Multiple defendantsor multiple plaintiffs shall be considered as a single party for purposeof making challenges except that if the judge finds there is a good faithcontroversy existing between multiple plaintiffs or multiple defendants,the court in its discretion and in the interest of justice, may allow anyof the parties, single or multiple, additional peremptory challenges andpermit them to be exercised separately or jointly.

      All challenges for cause, whether to the array or panel or to individualprospective jurors, shall be determined by the court. Peremptory challengesshall be exercised in a manner which will not communicate to the challengedprospective juror the identity of the challenging party or attorney.

      (d)   Oath of jurors. The jurors shall be sworn to try the case conscientiouslyand return a verdict according to the law and the evidence.

      History:   L. 1963, ch. 303, 60-247; L. 1970, ch.233, § 1; L. 1971, ch. 176, § 15; amended by Supreme Court orderdated July 28, 1976; effective on publication in Kansas Reports.