Existing law prohibits a party from using a peremptory challenge to remove a prospective juror on the basis of the prospective juror’s race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or religious affiliation, or the perceived membership of the prospective juror in any of those groups. Existing law allows a party to object to the use of a peremptory challenge to remove a prospective juror on these bases and requires the objection to be sustained if there is a substantial likelihood an objective observer would view these bases as a factor in the use of the peremptory challenge.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to reform peremptory challenges.