Challenge Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Challenge.

Challenge (noun)

  1. In legal terminology, a 'Challenge' refers to an objection that an attorney raises during a trial, particularly against a juror or the selection of jurors. This can happen when the attorney believes that the juror may have a conflict of interest or prejudice that could influence the trial outcome.
  2. The objective of a 'Challenge' is to ensure fairness in the trial; if the judge agrees with the challenge, that particular juror may be dismissed from the trial.
  3. When a 'Challenge' is not resolved, an attorney may resort to a 'Peremptory Challenge', which allows dismissal of a juror without giving any reason.