25-7-223. Challenges to jurors for cause. - Montana Statutes

     25-7-223. Challenges to jurors for cause. Challenges for cause may be taken on one or more of the following grounds:
     (1) a want of any of the qualifications prescribed by this code to render a person competent as a juror;
     (2) being the spouse of or related to a party by consanguinity or affinity within the sixth degree;
     (3) standing in the relation of guardian and ward, debtor and creditor, employer and employee, or principal and agent to either party or being a partner in business with either party or surety on any bond or obligation for either party. However, a challenge for cause may not be taken because of debtor and creditor relation when the same arises solely:
     (a) by reason of current bills of gas, water, electricity, or telephone; or
     (b) because a prospective juror is a depositor of funds with a bank, savings and loan institution, credit union, or similar financial institution.
     (4) having served as a juror or been a witness on a previous trial between the same parties for the same cause of action;
     (5) interest on the part of the juror in the event of the action or in the main question involved in the action, except the juror's interest as a member or citizen of a municipal corporation;
     (6) having an unqualified opinion or belief as to the merits of the action;
     (7) the existence of a state of mind in the juror evincing enmity against or bias in favor of either party.

     History: En. Sec. 134, p. 70, Bannack Stat.; re-en. Sec. 162, p. 164, L. 1867; re-en. Sec. 198, p. 66, Cod. Stat. 1871; re-en. Sec. 249, p. 100, L. 1877; re-en. Sec. 249, 1st Div. Rev. Stat. 1879; re-en. Sec. 258, 1st Div. Comp. Stat. 1887; amd. Sec. 1060, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 6741, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 9344, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. C. Civ. Proc. Sec. 602; re-en. Sec. 9344, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 10, L. 1953; R.C.M. 1947, 93-5011; amd. Sec. 94, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 106, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 406, Ch. 56, L. 2009.