batson challenge

Main Entry: Bat·son challenge
Pronunciation: 'bat-s&n-
Function: noun
Etymology: from Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986), the Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the striking of jurors on a racial basis
: an objection in which one party argues that the other has used the peremptory challenge to strike one or more prospective jurors from the panel for a discriminatory purpose in violation of the equal protection guarantee of the U.S. Constitution called also Batson objection —compare THIRD-PARTY STANDING
NOTE: Batson challenges were originally applied to racial discrimination in jury selection but are now also applied when gender or sometimes ethnic background is an issue. The party making the objection usually must establish by evidence a prima facie case of discrimination, at which point the other party has the burden of advancing a neutral reason for the strike.