A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to clarify the number of peremptory challenges available with respect to selection of alternate jurors in civil cases.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 9‑18(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Civil Cases. Whenever the presiding judge deems it appropriate, one or more alternate jurors may be selected in the same manner as the regular trial panel of jurors in the case.  The plaintiff or collective plaintiffs shall be entitled to a total of two peremptory challenges and the defendant or collective defendants shall be entitled to a total of two peremptory challenges as to each such alternate juror, in addition to any unexpended challenges  they may have after the selection of the regular trial panel. Alternate jurors shall be sworn and seated near the jury with equal opportunity to see and hear the proceedings and shall attend the trial at all times with the jury and shall obey all orders and admonitions of the court to the jury. When the jurors are ordered kept together in any case, the alternate jurors shall be kept with them. An alternate juror shall receive the same compensation as other jurors and, except as hereinafter provided, shall be discharged upon the final submission of the case to the jury. If before that time any juror dies, becomes incapacitated or disqualified, or is discharged for any reason, an alternate juror shall become a part of the jury and serve in all respects as those selected on the regular trial panel. If more than one alternate juror has been selected, they shall be available to become a part of the jury in the order in which they were selected."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2007, and applies to actions called for trial on or after that date.