Bill

A 934

Relates to peremptory challenges where there are two or more defendants

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Maritza Davila and 4 co-sponsors

Bill A 934 regulates peremptory challenges in multi-defendant cases, ensuring fair jury selection by limiting challenges and promoting balanced influence among defendants.

SIGNED CHAP.440

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Bill Summary · A 934

Summary of Bill A 934: Peremptory Challenges in Multi-Defendant Cases

Bill Overview

Bill Number: A 934
Title: Relates to peremptory challenges where there are two or more defendants
Status: Signed into law as Chapter 440
Introduced: January 8, 2025

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 934 aims to clarify and modify the rules governing peremptory challenges in legal proceedings involving two or more defendants. Peremptory challenges allow attorneys to dismiss potential jurors without stating a reason, and this bill seeks to ensure fairer jury selection processes in multi-defendant cases.

Key Provisions

Modification of Peremptory Challenges: The bill establishes specific guidelines for the use of peremptory challenges when multiple defendants are involved in a trial.
Limitations on Challenges: It may impose restrictions on the number of peremptory challenges available to each defendant, ensuring that no single defendant can disproportionately influence the jury selection process.
Procedural Changes: The bill outlines the procedures that courts must follow when handling peremptory challenges in cases with multiple defendants, aiming to streamline the process and reduce potential biases.

Affected Parties

Defendants: The bill directly impacts defendants in multi-defendant cases by regulating how they can exercise their peremptory challenges.
Legal Practitioners: Attorneys representing defendants will need to adapt their strategies for jury selection based on the new provisions.
Judicial System: Courts will be required to implement new procedures for managing jury selection in accordance with the bill, potentially affecting court schedules and processes.

Legislative Timeline

January 8, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Codes Committee.
May 12, 2025: Passed in the Assembly and delivered to the Senate.
June 6, 2025: Passed in the Senate, returned to the Assembly, and substituted for S6735A.
October 9, 2025: Delivered to the Governor.
October 16, 2025: Signed into law as Chapter 440.

Related Legislation

A 10670: A prior-session bill related to jury selection.
S 6735: A companion bill in the Senate addressing similar issues.

Conclusion

Bill A 934 represents a significant change in the legal landscape regarding jury selection in cases with multiple defendants. By regulating peremptory challenges, the bill aims to promote fairness and equity in the judicial process, ensuring that all defendants have a balanced opportunity to influence jury composition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.