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.

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Etymology

Origin of peremptory challenge

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

If one side likes a potential juror, then 9 times out of 10 the other side will exercise a peremptory challenge to make sure that this person does not make it onto the jury.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

The defense attorney then sought to use a peremptory challenge, which allows the exclusion of a prospective juror without any specific reason.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2022

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

The next moment a peremptory challenge brought him to a halt.

From The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness