The Act provides the defense and the prosecution with an equal number of peremptory strikes in criminal trials. The Act establishes the number of peremptory challenges at three strikes for misdemeanors, nine strikes for felonies, and fifteen strikes for cases seeking the death penalty. The Act gives the prosecuting attorney the right to always conclude the argument to the jury. The Act also provides for discovery in sentencing proceedings, admission of character evidence, and makes orders denying the recusal of a judge directly appealable. This Peach Sheet addresses only the equal peremptory strikes provisions of the Act.
