Florida Jury Selection Blog

This blog contains the full text of all cases, statutes, and rules of procedure cited herein that pertain to jury selection. The procedure for jury selection in civil cases in state court in Florida is governed largely by Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.431. This rule sets forth the broad guidelines the court and the attorneys must follow during voir dire of the panel. Your client has a constitutional right, in both civil and criminal cases, to have his or her case heard and decided by an “impartial” jury. See Florida Constitution, Declaration of Rights, Article 1, Section 22 and Section 16. Jurors have rights too. The trial lawyer should be conversant with these rights because sometimes jurors have questions during the voir dire process, and a knowledgable lawyer should be able to answer certain questions concerning juror pay, juror job-security, and other matters which may be of concern to members as the voir dire proceeds.