Section 715.27 — Criminal Code: Definition of prospective juror

In this section, prospective juror means a person who has been summoned as a juror and who has not yet been sworn in accordance with Part XX. The court may, with the consent of the prosecutor and the accused, allow or require any or all prospective jurors to participate in the jury selection process by videoconference if the court is of the opinion that it would be appropriate having regard to all the circumstances, including the challenges related to the in-person participation of prospective jurors; the nature of the participation; the suitability of the location from where the prospective jurors will participate; the privacy and security of the prospective jurors; the accused’s right to a fair and public hearing; and the nature and seriousness of the offence. The court may require prospective jurors to participate by videoconference only if the court has approved a location that will be provided for their participation where the technology for videoconferencing is available. The court shall give prospective jurors the option to participate in person if it allows for their participation by videoconference but no location approved by the court is provided for their participation by those means.