Voir dire actually has a bigger role in litigation than today's definition explains. Attorneys for each side use voir dire to construct a jury, by questioning each potential juror about his or her life experiences, background, and opinions. If it appears that a potential juror would not be fair and objective, an attorney may challenge that juror "for cause". Alternatively, attorneys also have a certain number of peremptory challenges they may exercise to remove a potential juror without explanation. Because each attorney wants a jury that is sympathetic to his client's case, voir dire can be complicated and requires a great deal of preparation time, and it is questionable whether the defendant really ends up with a jury of "peers".

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