The bill H. 3228 proposes amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding jury selection procedures. It specifically amends Section 14-7-1050 to allow for attorney-conducted jury voir dire through oral and direct questioning, following a preliminary oath and a brief statement of the case by the trial judge. The amendments also establish that the scope of voir dire is determined by the trial judge and set guidelines for the types of questions that can be asked, including prohibitions on questions related to jurors' political views and religious beliefs. Additionally, it allows for a more flexible approach to the number of jurors drawn, as determined by the trial judge.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 14-7-1060 to give the trial judge discretion over the number of jurors to be drawn, rather than a fixed number, and removes the requirement that second jury panels must consist of twenty jurors as stated in Section 14-7-1080. These changes aim to streamline the jury selection process and enhance the ability of attorneys to assess juror impartiality effectively. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 14-7-1050, 14-7-1060, 14-7-1080
Latest Version: 14-7-1050, 14-7-1060, 14-7-1080
12/06/2024: 14-7-1050, 14-7-1060, 14-7-1080