HB26-1288 Sets Jury Questionnaire, Voir Dire Rules
Summary
Colorado HB26-1288 establishes requirements for jury questionnaires completed prior to voir dire. The bill sets minimum time requirements for each party to conduct voir dire, with separate allocations for civil cases and criminal cases that vary based on offense severity (petty offense/municipal violation, misdemeanor, or felony). Courts may authorize additional time beyond the statutory minimums subject to specified requirements.
What changed
HB26-1288 proposes to establish statutory requirements for jury questionnaires used before voir dire examinations in Colorado courts. The bill would mandate minimum time allocations for each party's voir dire questioning, with different requirements for civil versus criminal cases, and further differentiated criminal case timeframes based on whether the most serious charge is a petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony.
If enacted, Colorado courts will need to implement the new jury questionnaire requirements and ensure compliance with the mandated voir dire time allocations. Legal professionals conducting jury trials should monitor this legislation as it could significantly affect trial preparation timelines and courtroom procedures for both civil and criminal matters.
What to do next
- Monitor HB26-1288 for passage through Colorado Legislature
- Prepare for potential changes to jury selection procedures if bill is enacted
- Review current jury questionnaire practices against proposed requirements
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
HB26-1288
Jury Selection Requirements
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Courts & Judicial |
Concerning measures related to jury selection.
Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:
The bill establishes certain requirements for jury questionnaires that are completed prior to conducting voir dire.
The bill requires a minimum amount of time for each party to conduct voir dire. The bill establishes the lengths of required time for civil cases and criminal cases, with the lengths of required time for criminal cases depending upon whether the most serious charge is a petty offense or municipal violation, misdemeanor, or felony.
The bill permits the court to authorize more time for each party to conduct voir dire than is required, subject to certain requirements. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Prime Sponsors
Junie Joseph
Representative
Michael Carter
Senator
Dylan Roberts
Senator
Katie Wallace
Committees
House
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Status
Under Consideration
Introduced
Under Consideration
Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Apr 15
House Third Reading of Bills - Final Passage
9:00 AM House Chamber
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/14/2026 | Engrossed | |
| 02/23/2026 | Introduced |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/06/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/09/2026 | Fiscal Note Memorandum | |
| 03/09/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1288, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 11-0. | Vote summary |
Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 04/14/2026 | L.004 | Second Reading | Passed [*] | PDF |
| 04/01/2026 | L.002 | HOU Judiciary | Passed [] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.
** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 04/14/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 04/07/2026 | House | House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 04/01/2026 | House | House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 02/23/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary |
Prime Sponsor
Rep. M. Carter | Rep. J. Joseph
Sen. D. Roberts | Sen. K. Wallace
Sponsor
(None) Co-Sponsor
(None)
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