The Jury’s Duties

1. The Jury’s Duties

2. The Jury’s Duties • Selected jurors are sworn in and are seated in the jury box. • Prospective jurors not selected are free to go, but may be required to return for later trials held during that session of court.

3. The Jury’s Duties • At the start of a trial, jurors are informed of their duties by the Judge: • Jurors are not to discuss the case with anyone other than other jurors; • Or listen, or read, media reports about the case; • Jurors are not allowed to discuss, or disclose, any information relating to the jury’s deliberation.

4. The Jury’s Duties • Occasionally jurors are sequestered during the length of the trial (sequestering = being isolated from family, friends, home, and work) • During this time, jurors may only speak with other jurors and with the court officials. • Jurors are always sequestered when they retire to reach a verdict.

5. The Jury’s Duties • Juries must reach a unanimous verdict – all must agree. • In the deliberations, jurors must consider all of the evidence presented in court and .... • Jurors must consider the charge from the judge – instructions, interpretations, and definitions given. The charge often lasts for hours.

6. The Jury’s Duties • In the end, the jury must decide if a case against an accused has been proven “beyond a reasonable doubt.” • If, after lengthy deliberations, jurors cannot agree, a hung jury results. • A new trial is usually ordered.

7. Homework: • Read pages 216-225 in your textbook and Nelles v. Ontario on pg. 218-219. • Answer the following questions: • Page 220 (Review Your Understanding), #1-7 • Page 225, (Review Your Understanding), #1,2,5,&6 • P, age 219Nelles v. Ontario Question #1