MN Jury Questionnaire

1. MN Jury Questionnaire Quite possibly the last half-page quiz-that-isn’t-really-a-quiz of Government class 

2. Short Answer • How many people are on a jury panel to decide a serious criminal case? • What is it called when you are notified to show up for jury duty? • Who may jury members discuss a case with while a trial is in progress? • What is the title for the leader of a jury? • What percentage of jurors must agree on the verdict in a civil case?

3. S.A. 2 • How much are jurors paid? • Can lawyers and police officers be called to jury duty? • How old do you have to be to be called for jury duty? • Are businesses required to provide paid leave to employees on jury duty? • What does “sequestering” the jury mean and when does it happen?

4. True/False • If you will probably lose a lot of money by being absent from your job to sit on a jury, the court will excuse you from jury duty. • If the jury agrees that the defendant broke a law, but they feel it is an unfair law, the jury is still expected to find the defendant guilty. • Lawyers and judges prefer jury members who know little to nothing about the case going into trial. • Lawyers may excuse prospective jurors from the panel for no reason at all

5. T/F 2 • Jury members must remain silent during the trial. • Jury members should feel free to inspect the scene of a crime on their own when the court is in recess • Higher courts rarely overturn jury verdicts • A person can get out of jury duty by demonstrating that it is against their religion.

6. Answers • How many people are on a jury panel to decide a serious criminal case? • 12 • What is it called when you are notified to show up for jury duty? • Being Summoned (given a summons) • Who may jury members discuss a case with while a trial is in progress? • Nobody, not even each other • What is the title for the leader of a jury? • Jury Foreperson (Foreman, Forewoman) • What percentage of jurors must agree on the verdict in a civil case? • 100% - called a “true verdict” If after 6 hours a true verdict can’t be reached, 5/6 of the jury can return a “five-sixths verdict”. In criminal, all must agree

7. Answers 2 • How much are jurors paid? • $10/day + $.27/mile • Can lawyers and police officers be called to jury duty? • Yes, but not judges • How old do you have to be to be called for jury duty? • 18 • Are businesses required to provide paid leave to employees on jury duty? • No, but many companies pay the difference between salary and stipend • What does “sequestering” the jury mean and when does it happen? • Keeping the jury separated from people outside the court system. Happens during deliberations and possibly during the entire trial if it is a sensational case

8. T/F Answers • If you will probably lose a lot of money by being absent from your job to sit on a jury, the court will excuse you from jury duty. • False. You MAY be excused if you pose to lose a monumental sum, but it is very rare • If the jury agrees that the defendant broke a law, but they feel it is an unfair law, the jury is still expected to find the defendant guilty. • True. People should expect laws to be enforced consistently, let the legislature change unfair laws. Anyone remember the term? • Lawyers and judges prefer jury members who know little to nothing about the case going into trial. • True. Prospective Jurors who already have opinions on a case are usually excused. This makes it difficult to assemble a jury in high profile cases • Lawyers may excuse prospective jurors from the panel for no reason at all • True. Each side may excuse a limited number (called preemptory challenges)

9. T/F Answers 2 • Jury members must remain silent during the trial. • True. However if a juror can’t hear a witness, it’s okay to mention that to the judge • Jury members should feel free to inspect the scene of a crime on their own when the court is in recess • False. Jurors may be ordered by a court to tour a crime scene, but touring on their own can be grounds for a mistrial • Higher courts rarely overturn jury verdicts • True. • A person can get out of jury duty by demonstrating that it is against their religion. • False.