People v. Hope

1 Analyses of this case by attorneys

  1. Capital Defense Weekly, October 21, 2002

    Capital Defense NewsletterOctober 21, 2002

    Although it is well settled that the conduct and scope of jury voir dire is within the discretion of the trial court, an abuse of discretion will [*19] be found when the trial court's actions have frustrated the purpose of voir dire. People v. Hope, 168 Ill. 2d 1, 30, 658 N.E.2d 391, 212 Ill. Dec. 909 The purpose of voir dire is to ascertain sufficient information about prospective jurors' opinions and beliefs so as to allow the removal of those prospective jurors whose minds are so closed by bias and prejudice that they cannot apply the law as instructed. Hope, 168 Ill. 2d at 30.