What must juror strikes be based on during the selection process?

Juror strikes must be based on neutral reasons unrelated to race or gender to ensure a fair and impartial jury selection process. This principle is anchored in the law to prevent discrimination and uphold the integrity of the judicial system. The U.S. Supreme Court has established that while attorneys can exercise peremptory strikes, these must not be executed based on race or gender stereotypes, as such practices violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The use of neutral reasons allows for the consideration of relevant qualifications or characteristics, such as a juror's background, experiences, or potential bias related to the case, which are legitimate factors that can help ensure a fair trial.

The focus on neutrality ensures that juries represent a cross-section of the community, which is fundamentally important in upholding the fairness of the justice system. Jurors should be chosen based on their ability to be impartial and competent in delivering a verdict based on the evidence, rather than irrelevant factors like race, gender, or personal connections to the parties involved in the trial.