Alternate Jurors

The court may direct that no more than six

(6)jurors in addition to the regular jury be called and impanelled to sit as alternate jurors. Alternate jurors in the order in which they are called shall replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury retires to consider its verdict, become or are found to be unable or disqualified to perform their duties. Alternate jurors shall be drawn in the same manner, shall have the same qualifications, shall be subject to the same examination and challenges; shall take the same oath and shall have the same functions, powers, facilities and privileges as the regular jurors. An alternate juror who does not replace a regular juror shall be discharged after the jury retires to consider its verdict. Each side is entitled to one

(1)peremptory challenge in addition to those otherwise allowed by law if one

(1)or two

(2)alternate jurors are to be impanelled, two

(2)peremptory challenges if three

(3)or four

(4)alternate jurors are to be impanelled, and three

(3)peremptory challenges if five

(5)or six

(6)alternate jurors are to be impanelled. The additional peremptory challenges may be used against an alternate juror only, and the other peremptory challenges allowed by these rules may not be used against an alternate juror.