Juror Conduct

During the Trial

During the trial and the recesses, you should not talk about the case with other jurors or with any other person or allow anybody to talk about the case in your presence. A juror should not participate in any activity which might tend to incline him or her toward one party or the other, and this includes any research or investigation you might want to do on your own.

Jurors should not mingle with the attorneys or with the witnesses in the case. They should not accept any favor of any nature, however small, from any of the witnesses, parties or attorneys. If you are approached in any way by a party interested in the outcome of the case, you should report this communication privately to the judge or to the jury bailiff.

In the Jury Room

When the jury retires to the jury room to consider its verdict, its first task is the selection of a foreman or forewoman. This person acts as the chairperson of the group.

The foreperson supervises the taking of ballots and also signs any written verdicts which may be required and any written request made to the judge, such as a request for a further change on some point. In selecting the foreperson, the jurors would be well-advised to select someone of experience and general knowledge who will command the respect of the other jurors.

Discussion among the jurors should be carried on in a sensible and orderly fashion so that the issues submitted for decision are fully understood and fairly discussed.

After the Trial

Once the jury’s verdict has been announced and the trial is over, you will be free to discuss the case with the parties, the witnesses, the attorneys, the press or others. On the other hand, the jurors have no obligation to discuss the case with others if they do not wish to do so.