Why a Peremptory Challenge?

A peremptory challenge also allows attorneys to veto a potential juror on a "hunch". ... Their use allows attorneys to use their training and experience to dismiss jurors who might say the correct thing, but might otherwise harbor prejudices that could infringe the rights of the defendant to a fair trial.

What is a peremptory challenge and why would it be used?

Peremptory challenges allow the accused to reject potential jurors who they perceive to be implicitly or explicitly biased, particularly with respect to the accused's race, and to try to keep jurors who share the same background as the accused through the exclusion of other jurors.

Is a peremptory challenge a challenge for cause?

In addition to challenges for cause, each lawyer has a specific number of peremptory challenges. These challenges permit a lawyer to excuse a potential juror without stating a cause. In effect, they allow a lawyer to dismiss a juror because of a belief that the juror will not serve the best interests of the client.