§ 9-15. Questioning jurors without challenge; challenges for cause. - North Carolina Statutes

§9‑15.  Questioning jurors without challenge; challenges for cause.

(a)        The court, and anyparty to an action, or his counsel of record shall be allowed, in selecting thejury, to make direct oral inquiry of any prospective juror as to the fitnessand competency of any person to serve as a juror, without having such inquirytreated as a challenge of such person, and it shall not be considered by thecourt that any person is challenged as a juror until the party shall formallystate that such person is so challenged.

(b)        It shall not be avalid cause for challenge that any juror, regular or supplemental, is not afreeholder or has not paid the taxes assessed against him.

(c)        In civil cases ifany juror has a suit pending and at issue in the court in which he is serving,he may be challenged for cause, and he shall be withdrawn from the trial panel,and may be withdrawn from the venire in the discretion of the presiding judge.In criminal cases challenges are governed by Article 72, Selecting andImpaneling the Jury, of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes. (1806,c. 694, P.R.; 1868‑9, c. 9, s. 7; Code, s. 1728; Rev., s. 1960; 1913, c.31, ss. 5, 6, 7; C.S., ss. 2316, 2325, 2326; 1933, c. 130; 1967, c. 218, s. 1;1973, c. 95; 1977, c. 711, s. 11.)