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Committee backs rule change to allow in‑person jury selection for felony cases, despite court objections
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 10, which would require in‑person jury selection for felony cases (removing a blanket virtual‑selection rule), was favorably recommended by the committee 7–1 after competing testimony from court administrators who warned the change would reduce efficiency and prosecutors and defense counsel who said in‑person selection preserves legitimacy.
Senator McCall introduced SJR10 as a simple rule change to permit in‑person jury selection in felony cases, saying prosecutors and many defense attorneys have requested the ability to select jurors in person. “When we've got criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors that are both asking for this rule, I think it just makes sense,” he said.
Michael Drexel, assistant state court administrator, testified in opposition and urged caution. He told the committee that virtual jury selection in counties such as Salt Lake allowed the courts to summon and screen many…
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