The bill H. 3228 proposes amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding jury selection procedures. It allows for attorney-conducted jury voir dire through oral and direct questioning, which must occur after a preliminary oath and a brief statement of the case by the trial judge. The bill specifies that the scope of voir dire is determined by the trial judge and outlines the process for proposing and approving questions, including time limits for questioning. Additionally, it prohibits certain inquiries related to jurors' political views and religious beliefs unless deemed relevant by the judge, and it establishes guidelines for peremptory challenges.

Furthermore, the bill grants trial judges discretion over the number of jurors to be drawn for jury panels, removing the previous requirement that panels consist of twenty jurors. This change is reflected in the amendments to Sections 14-7-1060 and 14-7-1080, which streamline the jury selection process. The bill aims to enhance the efficiency and fairness of jury trials in South Carolina by modernizing the voir dire process and providing judges with greater flexibility in jury composition. 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