Civil Procedure
Nov. 16, 2026
California's new Batson-Wheeler law: What trial lawyers need to know about CCP § 231.7
California's new jury selection law imposes stricter standards for preventing discriminatory juror exclusions, but a 2025 amendment limits its application to certain civil rights, civil commitment and hate-crime cases, leaving most personal injury lawsuits under traditional rules.
Jonathan H. Davidi
Trial Attorney
Panish, Shea, Boyle & Ravipudi LLP
Phone: (310) 477-1700
Email: jdavidi@panish.law
Tyler R. Paboojian
Trial Attorney
Panish, Shea, Boyle & Ravipudi LLP
Phone: (310) 477-1700
Email: tpaboojian@panish.law
For decades, California trial lawyers have relied on Batson-Wheeler challenges to prevent opposing counsel from excluding prospective jurors based on race, gender or other protected characteristics. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, California's framework for evaluating these challenges changed significantly, but not for every civil case.
Code of Civil Procedure section 231.7 establishes a more stringent standard for evaluating discriminatory peremptory challenges. Although orig...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In