venires

Venire is a legal term, plural venires, referring to the pool of prospective jurors summoned to appear for selection in a court case. The term derives from Latin, roughly meaning “to come.” In common usage, the venire is the larger panel from which a jury is drawn; the final petit jury is formed after voir dire, peremptory challenges, and challenges for cause. The venire is distinct from the jury that sits in the case, though it is the source of jurors.

Venire lists are usually compiled from sources believed to represent a cross-section of the community, such as voter registration rolls, driver's license records, or other population lists. Eligibility criteria vary by jurisdiction but generally include citizenship, age, residency, and be free of disqualifications such as felony convictions or mental incapacity. Some jurisdictions permit exemptions for education, occupation, or hardship.

Process: once summoned, individuals appear for screening in a process called voir dire, during which judges and attorneys assess suitability and potential bias. From the larger venire, a smaller group forms the petit jury for the trial; the remainder may be released, deferred, or placed on standby as alternates. In some jurisdictions, venire proceedings are also used to assemble panels for grand juries. The use of venires aims to promote fairness and representativeness in jury trials.