If you’ve ever watched a legal drama, then you’ve probably come across the term “voir dire.” But what exactly does it mean? Voir dire is a legal phrase derived from two Latin words—”verum dicere,” which mean “to speak the truth.” Essentially, it is the process of questioning potential jurors, witnesses, and experts that is used to determine their qualifications and suitability for a particular trial.
During voir dire, a judge or lawyer will ask questions of the prospective jurors, witnesses or experts. The goal of voir dire is to find potential bias among these individuals, as well as uncover whether they have any prior knowledge of the case in question that may impede their ability to make a fair decision. Questions may cover anything from the potential juror’s experience with the court to their attitudes towards aspects of the trial itself.
In addition, attorneys representing each side are allowed to ask questions, although the judge has ultimate authority over voir dire proceedings. Attorneys will usually ask questions in an attempt to identify any potential biases among jurors, and establish if they would be favorable towards their side.
Voir dire is a common practice in many legal systems, and has been used for centuries. Its purpose is to ensure that the jury and trial participants are impartial and fair in their assessment of the evidence presented. It can be a lengthy process, with the defense and prosecution interviewing potential jurors at length in order to determine their suitability. However, it is an important part of the trial process that ensures all involved are properly qualified and have no prior knowledge or opinion of the case in question. This ensures that the trial is as impartial and fair as possible, and that justice will ultimately be served.