Legal Definitions - special venire

Definition: A panel of citizens summoned when there is an unexpected need for a larger pool from which to select jurors, or a panel summoned for a particular (usually capital) case.

Examples:

• If a high-profile case requires a larger pool of potential jurors, a special venire may be summoned to ensure a fair trial.
• In a capital case, a special venire may be summoned to ensure that the jury pool is not biased against the defendant.

These examples illustrate how a special venire is used in the legal system to ensure a fair trial. It is a panel of citizens who are summoned to serve as potential jurors in cases where a larger pool is needed or in cases that require a specific type of juror, such as in a capital case. The special venire helps to ensure that the jury pool is diverse and unbiased, which is essential for a fair trial.