peremptory challenge

American  

[puh-remp-tuh-ree chal-inj] / pəˈrɛmp tə ri ˈtʃæl ɪndʒ /

noun

Law.

1. a formal objection to the service of a juror by a party to a criminal prosecution or a civil action that requires no showing of cause.

---

Etymology

Origin of peremptory challenge

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

To save a peremptory challenge, the prosecutor might ask the judge to remove that potential juror for expressing doubt about his ability to follow the law.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2024

Most often the practice occurs through a legal tactic called a peremptory challenge, which allows an attorney to strike a potential juror without having to state a reason.

From Washington Post • Dec. 18, 2021

How does one detect if a lawyer has a discriminatory motive when using a peremptory challenge?

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2021

The Washington Supreme Court did so in 2018, saying judges don’t have to find purposeful discrimination to deny a peremptory challenge, and that challenges based on “implicit, institutional, and unconscious biases” can be rejected.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 5, 2021

The Anglo-Russo-Prussian intrigue was renewed, and the rash Frederick William sent a peremptory challenge to Napoleon to get himself out of Germany.

From Notable Events of the Nineteenth Century Great Deeds of Men and Nations and the Progress of the World by Ridpath, John Clark