46-16-116. Peremptory challenges. (1) Each defendant is allowed eight peremptory challenges in capital cases and six in all other cases tried in the district court before a 12-person jury. There may not be additional challenges for separate counts charged in the indictment or information.
(2) If the indictment or information charges a capital offense as well as lesser offenses in separate counts, the maximum number of challenges is eight.
(3) The state is allowed the same number of peremptory challenges as all of the defendants.
(4) In a criminal case tried before a six-person jury, the prosecution and all the defendants are allowed three peremptory challenges each.
(5) When the parties in a criminal case in the district court agree upon a jury consisting of a number of persons other than 6 or 12, they shall also agree in writing upon the number of peremptory challenges to be allowed.
History: En. 95-1909 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 131, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 184, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 95-1909(6); amd. Sec. 193, Ch. 800, L. 1991; Sec. 46-16-305, MCA 1989; redes. 46-16-116 by Code Commissioner, 1991; amd. Sec. 36, Ch. 262, L. 1993.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
46-16-101. Who given precedence on calendar
46-16-102. Renumbered 46-16-110
46-16-103. Who decides questions of law and fact
46-16-105. Plea of guilty -- use of two-way electronic audio-video communication
46-16-106. Time to prepare for trial
46-16-110. Right to jury trial -- waiver
46-16-111. Formation of trial jury
46-16-112. Motion to discharge jury panel
46-16-114. Examination of prospective jurors
46-16-115. Challenges for cause
46-16-116. Peremptory challenges
46-16-117. Time for challenges
46-16-120. Misdemeanor offenses
46-16-122. Absence of defendant from trial
46-16-123. Absence of defendant on receiving verdict or at sentencing
46-16-124. through 46-16-128 reserved
46-16-129. Pretrial diversion program state special revenue account