Under CPLR 4106, alternate jurors may be retained to ensure availability if needed; when are they generally discharged?

• A. When the case is finally submitted to the jury
• B. At the end of each day
• C. Immediately after voir dire
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Alternate jurors are kept to ensure a full panel if a seated juror cannot continue, but they are released once the case is finally submitted to the jury for deliberation. At that point, the jury is ready to deliberate with the regular panel, so there’s no need for alternates. They are not discharged at the end of each day, nor immediately after voir dire, and they aren’t retained forever. This discharge timing helps protect the integrity of the deliberation process while keeping the option to replace a juror if needed earlier in the trial.