View source for Peremptory Challenge (Prior to September 19, 2019)

{{HeaderJuries}}

==General Principles==
{{seealso|Jury Selection}}
Peremptory challenges refers to the ability for each party to veto a selected juror without the obligation of giving reasons for it.

{{quotation|
; Peremptory challenges
634. (1) A juror may be challenged peremptorily whether or not the juror has been challenged for cause pursuant to section 638.
<br>
; Maximum number
(2) Subject to subsections (2.1) to (4), the prosecutor and the accused are each entitled to
:(a) twenty peremptory challenges, where the accused is charged with high treason or first degree murder;
:(b) twelve peremptory challenges, where the accused is charged with an offence, other than an offence mentioned in paragraph (a), for which the accused may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term exceeding five years; or
:(c) four peremptory challenges, where the accused is charged with an offence that is not referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

'''If 13 or 14 jurors'''<br>
(2.01) If the judge orders under subsection 631(2.2) that 13 or 14 jurors be sworn in accordance with this Part, the total number of peremptory challenges that the prosecutor and the accused are each entitled to is increased by one in the case of 13 jurors or two in the case of 14 jurors.
<br>
; If alternate jurors
(2.1) If the judge makes an order for alternate jurors, the total number of peremptory challenges that the prosecutor and the accused are each entitled to is increased by one for each alternate juror.
<br>
; Supplemental peremptory challenges
(2.2) For the purposes of replacing jurors under subsection 644(1.1), the prosecutor and the accused are each entitled to one peremptory challenge for each juror to be replaced.
<br>
; Where there are multiple counts
(3) Where two or more counts in an indictment are to be tried together, the prosecutor and the accused are each entitled only to the number of peremptory challenges provided in respect of the count for which the greatest number of peremptory challenges is available.
<br>
; Where there are joint trials
(4) Where two or more accused are to be tried together,
:(a) each accused is entitled to the number of peremptory challenges to which the accused would be entitled if tried alone; and
:(b) the prosecutor is entitled to the total number of peremptory challenges available to all the accused.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 634; 1992, c. 41, s. 2; 2002, c. 13, s. 54; 2008, c. 18, s. 25; 2011, c. 16, s. 8.
|[http://canlii.ca/t/7vf2#sec634 CCC]
}}

The number of challenges will vary on the type of charge before court. Under s. 634(2), the standard number of challenges consist of:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- "
! Number of Peremptory Challenges
! Offence(s)
! Code
|-
|20 || high treason or [[Homicide (Offence)|first degree murder]] ||s. 634(2)(a) 
|-
|12 || offences with a maximum penalty greater than 5 years<ref>see also [[Offences by Penalty]]</ref> || s. 634)(2)(b)
|-
|4  || all Jury eligible offences with a penalty of 5 years or less<ref>
[[List of Straight Indictable Offences]]<br> [[List of Hybrid Offences]]</ref> || s. 634(2)(c))
|}

; Abuse of Process
An attempt by the Crown to strategically stand-aside all male jury candidates can be held as valid and not an abuse of process.<ref>
see ''R v Pizzacalla (C.A.)'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g1hvz 1991 CanLII 7070] (ON CA){{perONCA|Morden ACJ}}
</ref>

; Discretion to Give Additional Preemptions
A judge has no discretion to award any side additional peremptions due to a selected juror needing to be replaced during the selection process.<ref>
''R v Brown'' (2005), [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtbg 2005 CanLII 3939] (ON CA), 194 CCC (3d) 76{{perONCA|Simmons JA}}
</ref>

; Constitutionality
The limitation of 12 jurors for a trial on second-degree murder does not violate s. 7 of the Charter due to inequality with the number of peremptions available on a first degree murder trial.<ref>
''R v Oliver'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1jspp 2005 CanLII 3582] (ON CA){{perONCA|Doherty JA}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Jury Vetting by Crown or Defence==
Background checks can be done by the police to ensure eligibility under the Criminal Code and provincial jury Acts. If information is found such as a criminal record, it must be disclosed to the defence.<ref>
''R v Yumnu'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fvcdb 2012 SCC 73] (CanLII){{perSCC|Moldaver J}}<br>
''R v Emms'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fvcd8 2012 SCC 74] (CanLII){{perSCC|Moldaver J}}<br>
''R v Davey'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fvcd6 2012 SCC 75] (CanLII){{perSCC|Karakatsanis J}}<br>
</ref>

There is a limited ability for the police to give opinion on jury selection that does not need to be disclosed due to the lack of reliability of the opinion and underlying information such as community reputation.<ref>{{supra1|Yumnu}}<br>{{supra1|Emms}}<br>{{supra1|Davey}}</ref>

Defence must disclose any information they know that may indicate a juror is partial or ineligible.<ref>
{{supra1|Yumnu}} at para 66-67</ref>

{{reflist|2}}