§ 9-18. Alternate jurors. - North Carolina Statutes

§9‑18.  Alternate jurors.

(a)        Civil Cases.Whenever the presiding judge deems it appropriate, one or more alternate jurorsmay be selected in the same manner as the regular trial panel of jurors in thecase. Each party shall be entitled to two peremptory challenges as to each suchalternate juror, in addition to any unexpended challenges the party may haveafter the selection of the regular trial panel. Alternate jurors shall be swornand seated near the jury with equal opportunity to see and hear the proceedingsand shall attend the trial at all times with the jury and shall obey all ordersand admonitions of the court to the jury. When the jurors are ordered kepttogether in any case, the alternate jurors shall be kept with them. Analternate juror shall receive the same compensation as other jurors and, exceptas hereinafter provided, shall be discharged upon the final submission of thecase to the jury. If before that time any juror dies, becomes incapacitated ordisqualified, or is discharged for any reason, an alternate juror shall becomea part of the jury and serve in all respects as those selected on the regulartrial panel. If more than one alternate juror has been selected, they shall beavailable to become a part of the jury in the order in which they wereselected.

(b)        Criminal Cases.Procedures relating to alternate jurors in criminal cases are governed byArticle 72, Selecting and Impaneling the Jury, of Chapter 15A of the GeneralStatutes. (1931, c. 103; 1939, c. 35; 1951, cc. 82, 1043; 1967,c. 218, s. 1; 1977, c. 406, ss. 3‑5; c. 711, s. 13; 1979, c. 711, s. 2.)