—Voir Dire Examination

Each party shall have the right to examine, per- sonally or by counsel, each juror outside the pres- ence of other prospective jurors as to qualifica- tions to sit as a juror in the action, or as to interest, if any, in the subject matter of the action, or as to relations with the parties thereto. If the judicial authority before whom such examination is held is of the opinion from such examination that any juror would be unable to render a fair and impartial verdict, such juror shall be excused by the judicial authority from any further service upon the panel, or in such action, as the judicial authority deter- mines. The judicial authority shall not abridge the right of such examination by requiring counsel or the defendant to put questions to any juror in writ- ing and to submit them in advance of the com- mencement of the trial. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 848.) (Amended June 22, 2009, to take effect Jan. 1, 2010.)