Jury Behavior
Jurors are supposed to: be impartial, consider only the evidence, consider all the evidence, and follow the law. So much for theory.
Jurors are supposed to follow the law, but sometimes don't. Learn why they don't, and what the result is.
Jury tampering is a crime that occurs when people improperly influence jurors. Jurors can also be improperly influenced—sometimes by their own doing—without anyone committing a crime.
You wouldn't know it from watching TV, but courtrooms aren't always exciting. What happens if a juror falls asleep or doesn't pay attention? Will the defendant get a new trial?
Judges can generally encourage—but not force—criminal juries to render judgment.
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