When the court has a computer, how may prospective jurors be shuffled?

• A. The computer shuffles and randomly selects the names.
• B. The clerk places the names in a receptacle and shakes to mix them.
• C. The judge personally arranges the names in a fixed order.
• D. The names are shuffled by alphabetical order only.

Answer: (A)

Randomness and fairness come from using a computer to generate a truly unpredictable order for juror names. When the court has a computer, it can run a randomization process that shuffles the list and then selects names from that random order. This ensures every prospective juror has an equal chance of being chosen and provides an auditable, reproducible record of the selection.

Manual methods, like placing names in a receptacle and shaking, can still be influenced by way of handling and may not produce the same level of verifiable randomness. Arranging names in a fixed order by the judge is not random at all, and using alphabetical order is predictable and can bias which individuals are more likely to be selected. So the computer-based shuffle is preferred because it achieves true randomness quickly and transparently.