State v. Petersen

OPINION

WOZNIAK, Judge.

Appellant Tami Petersen was convicted by a jury of D.W.I., Minn.Stat. § 169.121, subd. 1(a) (1984). On appeal, she contends the trial court committed reversible error in employing a jury selection method which deviated from the Rules of Criminal Procedure, and unreasonably restricted voir dire by limiting counsel to five minutes examination of prospective jurors. We reverse and remand for new trial.

FACTS

Appellant’s misdemeanor trial for D.W.I. began on November 6, 1984. After impaneling fourteen prospective jurors, the trial court conducted a voir dire of the panel. The…