Ramirez v. State

Robert F. Ramirez appeals his convictions on multiple criminal charges, arguing that the trial court committed error in jury selection. We conclude that the trial court erred in the restrictions it placed on individual voir dire, and remand for a new trial.

Before the beginning of jury selection, the trial court instructed the State and defense that “you can’t get up ... during voir dire and start talking about reasonable doubt, burden of proof, and all that stuff.” TR. 8. Defense counsel objected:

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: From what I just heard, that I would be prohibited from asking any juror…