How to serve on a Jury. Lawyer's secrets for Jurors

What REALLY happens during jury service? I'll explain things you CAN'T do, how to reach a VERDICT, and what happens if you're DEADLOCKED. Links: Jury Nullification - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKlPE4G5Mz8 How Jurors are not "Picked" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauuB5m17nE How to Get out of Jury Duty (Legally) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNdStXAlwBU How to Avoid Jury Duty (Sarcastic) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0mM09un5ZQHow to get How to Get Picked for Jury Duty - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y119NPfuLhc Also find our content on: Facebook.com/MatthewHarrisLaw Instagram - @MatthewHarrisLaw Google Maps – https://g.page/MatthewHarrisLaw Website - https://matthewharrislaw.com/ Have you ever wondered what REALLY happens at jury duty? Are you curious about what happens after that door closes? I’m going to tell you what you CAN’T do, explain how to reach a verdict, and then disclose what happens if you can’t reach a verdict. If you’ve been picked to serve on the jury, then that means that you’ve SURVIVED jury selection. We’ve already covered jury selection a couple of times, so if you missed those videos, then find the links in the description. Once you’re picked to serve on the jury, then you’ve just become the last line of defense in deciding someone’s fate, fortune, or freedom. There are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to being a juror. What you may not realize is that your actions could cause a mistrial and even land you in jail for contempt, so pay attention. One of the basic components of our justice system requires jurors to only hear evidence that is reliable and trustworthy. This means that you can only consider evidence that has been received in Court from the witness stand. While you’re hearing this evidence, some courts will allow you to take notes. However, these are YOUR notes and you’re not allowed to rely on another juror’s notes. That means that you must pay close attention during testimony and for God’s sake, please stay awake. Also, some Courts actually allow the Jurors to ask the witnesses questions while they are testifying. If the Judge doesn’t mention anything about this ability, then don’t be afraid to ask the Judge whether or not you can ask questions. When the Judge permits this, all Jurors will pass notes to the Bailiff with their individual questions, and then the Judge will decide whether all, some, or none of the questions are asked of the witness. When serving as a Juror, you’re not allowed to discuss the case with anyone; including family, friends, or the media, until after the verdict is rendered and the Judge releases you. This ensures that external opinions and bias do not influence your decision-making. Also, you aren’t even allowed to discuss the case with your fellow Jurors until after ALL evidence has been received and you’re instructed to begin deliberations. When trials last for weeks at a time, I know it can be frustrating to sit with 11 other people and not be allowed to discuss what you’ve just heard, but this is the way. Additionally, Jurors must refrain from conducting any independent research about the case, the legal issues involved, or the parties and witnesses. This includes all forms of media—print, digital, and social—as well as personal investigations or inquiries. In high profile cases, you might even have to give up social media and watching the news while the case is pending to avoid accidentally being exposed to these outside influences. Such actions can introduce information into your deliberations that was not officially admitted into evidence, potentially skewing impartiality. Speaking of deliberations, let’s talk about how to reach a verdict. When the closing arguments are finished, the Judge will instruct you to retire to the jury room for deliberations. The very first thing that you must do is choose a Foreperson. The Foreperson’s opinion doesn’t have any greater weight over any other Juror’s. The Foreperson is in charge of the paperwork and helping to keep the deliberations on track. You might not know this, but most Jury verdicts are reached by simply answering Yes or No questions. Then, it becomes a “choose your own adventure” book at that point. For example, if you answer “No” to Question #1, the instructions may tell you to skip Question #2 and move to Question #5. If it is a criminal case, then your answers to each question must be unanimous (meaning that all Jurors agree). If it is a civil case, depending on your State, then you do not have to be unanimous. In those States, only 9 or 10 of you must agree on the answers, however, the same 9 or 10 must agree on EVERY answer. Music: Love Aside – Patrick Patrikios Music provided via YouTube Studio Audio Library Chapters: 00:00 – How Jury Service Works 00:32 – What Jurors CAN/CAN’T Do 02:46 – How to Reach a Verdict 04:17 – What if you’re deadlocked?