Peremptory Plea

A peremptory plea, also known as a peremptory challenge or peremptory objection, is a legal term that typically applies to jury selection in criminal trials. It refers to the right of the prosecution and the defence to exclude a certain number of potential jurors without providing a specific reason or justification. Each side is typically granted a limited number of peremptory challenges, which they can use to exclude jurors they believe may be biased or unfavourable to their case.

Peremptory challenges allow the parties to exercise some level of control over the composition of the jury. They are distinct from challenges for cause, which require the party to provide a valid reason for the exclusion of a potential juror, such as a personal relationship with one of the parties or an inability to be impartial.

The number of peremptory challenges granted to each party may vary depending on jurisdiction and the type of trial. The purpose of peremptory challenges is to ensure a fair and impartial jury by allowing the parties to remove potential jurors they perceive as potentially biased, even if they cannot provide a specific cause for their exclusion.

The exercise of peremptory challenges is subject to certain limitations to prevent discrimination or the exclusion of potential jurors based on their race, gender, or other protected characteristics. In some jurisdictions, challenges based on discriminatory grounds may be prohibited or subject to additional scrutiny.