S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1911
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 14, 2011
___________
Introduced by Sen. KRUGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to the exercise
of peremptory challenges
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 270.25 of the criminal procedure
law is amended to read as follows:
1. A peremptory challenge is an objection to a prospective juror for
which no reason need be assigned, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION
ONE-A OF THIS SECTION. Upon any LAWFUL peremptory challenge, the court
must exclude the person challenged from service.
S 2. Section 270.25 of the criminal procedure law is amended by adding
a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-A. (A) AT ANY TIME AFTER JURY SELECTION HAS BEGUN AND BEFORE THE
OPENING STATEMENT IS MADE BY THE PROSECUTOR, EITHER PARTY MAY, OUTSIDE
OF THE HEARING OF BOTH PROSPECTIVE AND SWORN JURORS, MAKE A MOTION IN
WRITING OR ORALLY UPON THE RECORD FOR AN ORDER DISCHARGING THE JURY
PANEL OR FOR OTHER APPROPRIATE RELIEF UPON THE GROUNDS THAT THE OTHER
PARTY HAS PURPOSEFULLY DISCRIMINATED ON THE BASIS OF RACE, SEX, RELI-
GION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN IN THE EXERCISE OF PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES.
(B) WHERE, AFTER ACCORDING EACH PARTY AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD, THE
COURT FINDS THAT A PRIMA FACIE CASE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT A PARTY
HAS PURPOSEFULLY DISCRIMINATED IN THE EXERCISE OF PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES
TO STRIKE PROSPECTIVE JURORS ON ACCOUNT OF THE RACE, RELIGION, SEX OR
NATIONAL ORIGIN OF SUCH PROSPECTIVE JURORS, THE COURT SHALL MAKE INQUIRY
OF THE PARTY EXERCISING THE PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES.
(C) AFTER THE PARTY OF WHOM INQUIRY WAS MADE HAS RESPONDED, THE COURT
SHALL EVALUATE, IN LIGHT OF THE CLAIMS MADE, THE REASONS GIVEN FOR THE
EXERCISE OF PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE MOVING PARTY
HAS ESTABLISHED SUCH PURPOSEFUL DISCRIMINATION.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07161-01-1
S. 1911 2
(D) WHERE THE COURT DETERMINES THAT A PARTY HAS ENGAGED IN PURPOSEFUL
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PROSPECTIVE JURORS IN THE EXERCISE OF PEREMPTORY
CHALLENGES, IT SHALL SEAT THE JUROR, DISCHARGE THE JURY PANEL OR FASHION
ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE REMEDY.
S 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to all
jury selections commenced on or after such date.