Mass. Gen. Laws » Part III Title II Chapter 234A
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 234A, § 67A (2026)

Examination of jurors

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 67A. Upon motion of either party, the court shall, or the parties or their attorneys may under the direction of the court, examine on oath a person who is called as a juror, to learn whether the juror related to either party or has any interest in the case, or has expressed or formed an opinion, or is sensible of any bias or prejudice. The objecting party may introduce other competent evidence in support of the objection. If the court finds that the juror does not stand indifferent in the case, another juror shall be called in. In a criminal case such examination shall include questions designed to learn whether such juror understands that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, that the commonwealth has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that the defendant need not present evidence on the defendant's behalf. If the court finds that such juror does not so understand, another juror shall be called in.

To determine whether a juror stands indifferent in the case, if it appears that, as a result of the impact of considerations which may cause a decision to be made in whole or in part upon issues extraneous to the case, including, but not limited to, community attitudes, possible exposure to potentially prejudicial material or possible preconceived opinions toward the credibility of certain classes of persons, the juror may not stand indifferent, the court shall, or the parties or their attorneys may, with the permission and under the direction of the court, examine the juror specifically with respect to such considerations, attitudes, exposure, opinions or any other matters which may cause a decision to be made in whole or in part upon issues extraneous to the issues in the case. Such examination may include a brief statement of the facts of the case, to the extent the facts are appropriate and relevant to the issue of such examination and shall be conducted individually and outside the presence of other persons about to be called as jurors or already called.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 2017–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Espinal, 121 N.E.3d 1189 (Mass. 2019).
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Commonwealth v. Espinal, 121 N.E.3d 1189 (Mass. 2019). · cites it 6× “5 The first paragraph of G. L. c. 234A, § 67A, *1197 moreover, establishes a separate set of topics about which a trial judge must examine prospective jurors in all criminal cases.”
Commonwealth v. Williams, 116 N.E.3d 609 (Mass. 2019). · cites it 3× “The judge's first question to the prospective juror was proper: "You think that belief might interfere with your ability to be fair and impartial?" The prospective juror responded, "I don't think so.”
Commonwealth v. Colon, 121 N.E.3d 1157 (Mass. 2019). · cites it 3× “234, § 28, the predecessor to G. L. c. 234A, § 67A, and not as a result of any constitutional mandate.”
Commonwealth v. Dabney, 90 N.E.3d 750 (Mass. 2018). · cites it 2× “a criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty?"; (2) "Do any of you not understand that in a criminal case, the prosecution has *757 the burden of proving the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?"; and (3) "Do any of you not understand that in…”
Commonwealth v. Pina, 116 N.E.3d 575 (Mass. 2019). “36, § 4, inserting G. L. c. 234A, §§ 67A -D. 12 For the first time on appeal, the defendant contends that Sergeant Detective Wyse impermissibly identified the codefendant and other individuals on the surveillance tapes.”
Kazadi v. State, 223 A.3d 554 (Md. 2020). “If the [trial] court finds that such juror does not so understand, another shall be called in his [or her] stead.”
Commonwealth v. Chambers, 109 N.E.3d 1069 (Mass. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 2× “For the current applicable statute, see G. L. c. 234A, § 67A. 7 At the end of the first day of trial, juror no.”
Commonwealth v. Kennedy, 90 N.E.3d 722 (Mass. 2018). “See G. L. c. 234A, §§ 67A - 67D, inserted by St.”
Commonwealth v. Brown, 113 N.E.3d 934 (Mass. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 3× “The defendant now argues that the judge's apparently inadvertent failure to ask juror 19 the agreed-upon question violated G. L. c. 234A, § 67A, which provides that, upon a party's motion, a judge "shall" question a juror if it appears that an extraneous issue is likely to…”
Jamal Divine Gardner v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “1978); Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 234A § 67A (2016); Kazadi v.”
Commonwealth v. Terrance Montgomery (Mass. 2025). · cites it 2× “See G. L. c. 234A, § 67A (voir dire is designed "to learn whether the juror [is] related to either party or has any interest in the case, or has expressed or formed an opinion, or is sensible of any bias or prejudice").”
Commonwealth v. Charles R. Jenkins. (Mass. App. Ct. 2025). · cites it 2× “In relevant part, it was identical to the current statute, G. L. c. 234A, § 67A. 2 claims which could have been raised, but were not raised on direct appeal or in a prior motion for a new trial" (quotation and citation omitted).”
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