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

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

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 task force also is supposed to consider whether lawyers’ peremptory challenges of jurors systemically reduce the representation of minorities and whether the peremptory challenge rules should be changed.

From Washington Times • Mar. 11, 2021

We must sometimes allow to personal temperament its right of peremptory challenge.

From Among My Books First Series by Lowell, James Russell