During voir dire, either attorney may ask that a prospective juror be dismissed if he or she reveals information that might indicate a bias. For example, if someone were a relative of the plaintiff or defendant.
Reasons for Being Excused from Jury Service Medical reasons. Public necessity. Undue hardship. Dependent care. Student Status. Military conflict. Other reason deemed sufficient by the court.
In some districts the judge selects the foreperson of the jury. In other districts the jurors elect their foreperson and in still other districts the first juror to enter the jury box becomes the foreperson automatically.
When selecting a jury, both parties may remove potential jurors using an unlimited number of challenges for cause (e.g., stated reasons such as bias) and a limited number of peremptory challenges (i.e., do not need to state a reason).
A juror could be dismissed for illness, a family emergency or because it was discovered they disobeyed instructions and spoke to the media. It could also happen if it is discovered their lied on their questionnaire or a witness testifies that they have a connection with.
The following people can make a request to avoid jury duty, as long as it's at least five days before jury service, the N.C. Judicial Branch website says: A full-time student at an out of state school. Anyone age 72 years or older. Anyone who has a disability that could interfere with their ability to serve as a juror.
During voir dire, a judge (sometimes the parties as well) asks potential jurors questions in order to screen them for bias be- fore picking a jury. Even after a jury trial, a judge may order a new trial if a party proves a juror lied during voir dire and hid something that would have kept him or her off the jury.
By law, the courts will excuse from jury duty anyone with a mental or physical condition that would keep them from serving as a juror. There is not an exemption based on age, but you may request to be excused if you have a hardship that would make it difficult to serve.
Failure to complete and return a jury questionnaire, providing false information on the questionnaire, or using vulgar or profane language in response to a jury questionnaire subjects a citizen to show cause proceeding for contempt of court.