By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – On Tuesday, in-person jury selection started for Ghislaine Maxill’s trial. She is the British socialite who was accused of sexually abusing Jeffrey Epstein by grooming young girls.

Let’s look at how this process works.

What HAS HAPPENED SO Far?

Over 600 jurors were asked to fill out questionnaires about Maxwell or Epstein.

WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY STEPS?

U.S. district judge Alison Nathan intends to interview 231 persons in person out of that initial pool.

Nathan will inquire if potential jurors are familiar with any Maxwell accuseds and whether they hold opinions on people living “luxurious lives” which would hinder their impartiality.

Potential jurors may appear before Nathan or the attorneys for each side because of the intimate nature of many questions.

Nathan will remove candidates whose answers suggest they might be biased. This is known as a strike to cause. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will have the right to challenge those decisions and to ask follow-up questions.

Nathan stated that she hopes to have 50-60 qualified jurors when voir dire ends on November 19. Both sides’ attorneys will choose jurors who are to be removed without stating a reason. It is called a peremptory striking.

Opening statements will be made on Nov. 29. Six weeks are expected for the trial.

WHAT PERSONS WILL SERVE AT THE JURY’S OFFICE?

Manhattan Federal Court jury will have 12 jurors plus six alternates.

WHO WILL BE ON OUR JURY?

Because of the delicate nature of this case and the questions jurors will have to answer during jury selection, their identities will not become public.

Jury members are drawn from Manhattan, the Bronx and some northern New York City suburbs.