Art. 1766.  Time for challenges; method

A.  After a juror has been examined as provided in Article 1763, the court may excuse the juror and if the court does not do so, either party may challenge the juror for cause.

B.  If a juror has not been excused for cause, a peremptory challenge may be made by any party.  The court shall alternate between the sides when making initial inquiry as to whether any party wishes to exercise a peremptory challenge to that juror.

C.  After the entire jury has been accepted and sworn, no party has a right to challenge peremptorily.

D.  Peremptory challenges of jurors shall be made and communicated to the court in a side bar conference of the judge, the attorneys conducting the examination and selection of jurors, and the plaintiff or defendant in a case in which the plaintiff or defendant chooses to represent himself.  The conference shall be conducted in a manner that only the court, the attorneys, and the plaintiff or defendant in a case in which the plaintiff or defendant chooses to represent himself, are aware of the challenges made until the court announces the challenges without reference to any party or attorney in the case.  The side bar conference shall be conducted on the record and out of the presence of the prospective jurors.

Acts 1983, No. 534, §5; Acts 1990, No. 703, §1.