§ 9-20. Civil cases having several plaintiffs or several defendants; challenges apportioned; discretion of judge.
§ 9‑20. Civil caseshaving several plaintiffs or several defendants; challenges apportioned;discretion of judge.
(a) When there are twoor more defendants in a civil action, the presiding judge, if it appears thatthere are antagonistic interests between the defendants, may in the judge'sdiscretion apportion among the defendants the challenges now allowed by law, orthe judge may increase the number of challenges to not exceeding six for eachdefendant or class of defendants representing the same interest.
(b) When there are twoor more plaintiffs in a civil action, the presiding judge, if it appears thatthere are antagonistic interests between the plaintiffs, may, in the judge'sdiscretion, apportion among the plaintiffs the challenges now allowed by law,or the judge may increase the number of challenges to not exceeding six foreach plaintiff or class of plaintiffs representing the same interest.
(c) Whenever a judgeexercises the discretion authorized by subsection (a) or (b) of this section toincrease the number of challenges for either the plaintiffs or the defendants,the judge may, in the judge's discretion, increase the number of challenges forthe opposing side, not to exceed the total number given to the other side. (1905, c. 357; Rev., s. 1965;C.S., s. 2332; 1967, c. 218, s. 1; 2007‑210, s. 1.)