al Panel for each country is determined by the Judiciary Law. The names for the Special Panel are selected by lot from the names on the general jury lists, and each person selected is called to the office of the Commissioner of Jurors to complete a questionnaire. Among other questions, the applicant is asked whether he is opposed to the infliction of the death penalty, and whether he has any objections, in a proper case, to returning a verdict based on circumstantial evidence. If he is selected, his name is then placed on a smaller list of Special Jurors.
             Many objections have been made to "Special Juries" as unconstitutional, and as not representing a true cross section of the community. They are sometimes referred to as "convicting juries", although public officials generally deny that there is any screening of the jurors on the bases of past performance.
             When a number of jurors must be called for the trial of a case or series of cases, the names of all those eligible to serve (excluding those whose recent service on one or more juries has entitled them to be excused for a period of time) are placed in a large drum or wheel, and the names of those to be selected are then drawn by lot. In important cases, the lawyers for both sides are entitled to be present. After the drawing is completed, the members of the panel are notified to appear in court.
             At the opening of Court, the Court first calls for excuses, and the jurors who feel that they have a valid legal excuses for absence tell the judge the reason why they feel that they should not be required to serve in the particular case or cases. The judge will then listen to each excuse and make his ruling immediately. An excuse of sever illness in one's family, requiring presence at home will generally be sustained, while the fact that a juror had tickets to the theater or to a baseball game will not be valid. If a juror is engaged in his own busines...