How to Meet Jury Member Responsibilities

In preparation to serve on a jury, the jurors are informed of their responsibilities in the trial. Knowledge of these responsibilities helps each jury member take the trial seriously and arrive at a verdict after proper consideration.

Instructions

1. Do not discuss the case with anyone. Discussing the case with family, friends or anyone else leaves you open to being influenced by ideas from people who do not have all the facts of the case. You are also not allowed to discuss the case with fellow jurors until it is time to deliberate and reach a verdict.

2. Keep an open mind during the trial. Wait to hear the arguments and the evidence given from all sides before you make up your mind about the case. When it is time to deliberate, you may discuss your opinion with fellow jurors, but only when they are all present.

3. Ask for more information about the case from the judge if necessary. Do not attempt to conduct your own investigation of the case because this would be a violation of your duty. If the judge feels that it is necessary for the jury to visit the site of the incident, arrangements will be made.

4. Report any attempts at jury tampering to the judge. It is considered jury tampering if anyone who is involved with the case tries to meet with a jury member to influence their verdict. This is a serious offense that can make you subject to imprisonment.

5. Ask to meet with the judge privately if you realize that you know any of the witnesses in the case or other aspects of the case.

6. Listen carefully to the evidence and statements provided by both sides.

7. Listen to the judge's instructions carefully. The judge will explain the law that is applied to the case. You must use only this law and the evidence provided in the case to reach a verdict.

8. Take note of the judge's explanation of the degree of proof required to sustain an accusation. In a criminal case, the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a civil case, the plaintiff must prove the defendant's guilt with a preponderance of evidence.

9. Meet with other jurors at the end of a trial to deliberate. Select a foreperson during deliberations. The responsibilities of this person include overseeing the deliberations, making sure that the issues are fully discussed and that discussions are free and orderly.

10. Vote on each issue to be decided in the case when reaching a verdict. In a criminal case, every member of the jury must agree on the verdict. In a civil case, the judge will let the jurors know how many votes are needed for a verdict.

Tips & Warnings

• Take notes during the trial to help you remember the facts as they are presented.