A venire is a group of prospective jurors called to court from which a trial jury may be selected. It is often called the jury pool or jury panel. Being part of this group does not mean a person will serve on the final jury.

During voir dire, the judge and attorneys question prospective jurors about their ability to serve fairly. Some people are excused, and others are selected. The venire is the group; voir dire is the questioning process.

In California Family Law

Divorce, custody, and support trials are decided by a judge rather than a jury, so these proceedings ordinarily do not involve a venire.

The term may appear in a separate case involving the same people or events. For example, an allegation of domestic violence may lead to both a family court restraining order request and a criminal prosecution. If the criminal case goes to a jury trial, prospective jurors are called for selection. That jury does not decide the parties’ divorce or custody case.