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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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He also said that there was “nothing here … that would any way bias me,” but he was eventually struck by the prosecution with a peremptory challenge.

From Slate Apr. 18, 2024

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

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

That untimely, peremptory challenge sounded the first knell to the light heart and careless freedom of youth.

From Life of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen — Volume 1 by Tytler, Sarah

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