Residents of Orange County are randomly selected for jury service and summoned to the Court as potential jurors. A blind draw selects 12 people from that group. The judge, prosecutor and defense attorney(s) question the jurors about their backgrounds and beliefs. The attorneys are permitted a limited number of "peremptory" challenges to various jurors (or an unlimited number of challenges for good cause). After 12 acceptable jurors and an appropriate number of alternates remain, the judge administers an oath to the jury and reads basic instructions about the trial process and criminal procedures.

Anatomy of a Prosecution.

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