Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: PROPTER AFFECTUM
Definition: Propter affectum is a type of challenge in a legal case where a potential juror is disqualified because of a circumstance, such as being related to a party, that makes them unable to serve in that particular case. Challenges can also be made for other reasons, such as bias or incompetence. Peremptory challenges are a limited number of challenges that do not need to be supported by a reason, but if discrimination is charged, the party making the challenge must give a nondiscriminatory reason for striking the juror.
Definition: Propter affectum is a type of challenge in which a potential juror is deemed incompetent to serve in a particular case due to some circumstance, such as kinship with a party.
Example: In a trial involving a family dispute, a potential juror who is related to one of the parties may be challenged propter affectum by the opposing side.
Explanation: This example illustrates how propter affectum is used to challenge a potential juror's competency to serve in a particular case due to a personal relationship with one of the parties. The challenge is based on the belief that the juror's relationship may influence their ability to be impartial.