Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.915

1.915(1) Selection. At each jury trial a person designated by the court shall select 16 jurors by

drawing their names from a box without seeing the names. All jurors so drawn shall be listed.

Computer selection processes may be used instead of separate ballots to select jury panels. Before

drawing begins, either party may require that the names of all jurors be called, and have an attachment

for those absent who are not engaged in other trials; but the court may wait for its return or not, in its

discretion.

1.915(2) Oath or examination. The prospective jurors shall be sworn. The parties shall have the

right to examine those drawn. The court may conduct such examination as it deems proper. It may

on its own motion exclude any juror.

1.915(3) Challenges. Challenges are objections to trial jurors for cause, and may be either to the

panel or to an individual juror. The court shall determine the law and fact as to all challenges, and

must either allow or deny them.

1.915(4) To panel. Before any juror is sworn, either party may challenge the panel, in writing,

distinctly specifying the grounds, which can be founded only on a material departure from the

statutory requirements for drawing or returning the jury. On trial thereof, any officer, judicial or

ministerial, whose irregularity is complained of, and any other persons, may be examined concerning

the facts specified. If the court sustains the challenge it shall discharge the jury, no member of which

can serve at that trial.

1.915(5) To juror. Challenge to an individual juror must be made before the jury is sworn to try

the case. On demand of either party to a challenge, the juror shall answer every question pertinent to

the inquiry, and other evidence may be taken.

1.915(6) For cause. A juror may be challenged by a party for any of the following causes:

a. A previous conviction of the juror of a felony unless it can be established through the juror’s

testimony or otherwise that the juror’s rights of citizenship have been restored.

b. Want of any statutory qualification required to make that person a competent juror.

c. Physical or mental defects rendering the person incapable of performing the duties of a juror.

d. Consanguinity or affinity within the ninth degree to the adverse party.

e. Being a conservator, guardian, ward, employer, employee, agent, landlord, tenant, family

member, or member of the household of the adverse party.

f. Being a client of the firm of any attorney engaged in the cause.

g. Being a party adverse to the challenging party in any civil action; or having complained of or

been accused by the challenging party in a criminal prosecution.

h. Having already sat upon a trial of the same issues.

i. Having served as a grand or trial juror in a criminal case based on the same transaction.

j. When it appears the juror has formed or expressed an unqualified opinion on the merits of the

controversy, or shows a state of mind which will prevent the juror from rendering a just verdict.

k. Being interested in an issue like the one being tried.

l. Having requested, directly, or indirectly, that the person’s name be returned as a juror.

Exemption from jury service is not a ground of challenge, but the privilege of the person exempt.

1.915(7) Number; striking. Each side must strike four jurors. Where there are two or more parties

represented by different counsel, the court in its discretion may authorize and fix an additional number

of jurors to be impaneled and strikes to be exercised. After all challenges are completed, plaintiff and

defendant shall alternately exercise their strikes.

1.915(8) Vacancies. After a challenge is sustained, another juror shall be called and examined and

shall be subject to being challenged or stricken as are other jurors.

1.915(9) Jury sworn. The names of the eight jurors who remain on the list after all others have

been stricken shall be read. These shall constitute the jury and shall be sworn substantially as

follows:

“You and each of you do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will well and truly try the

issues wherein ___________________________________________________ is plaintiff and

_______________________________________________ is defendant, and a true verdict render;

and that you will do so solely on the evidence introduced and in accordance with the instructions

of the court.”