Juror Walkthrough - Jury Room

If you would like more information, click on the questions below.
 
  • How secure is the jury room?
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    No-one, except for the usher, will be allowed contact with the jury while you are deliberating. You will be shown how to contact the usher should you need to. Once you and the jury have retired to the jury room to decide on a verdict refreshments will be brought to you at lunchtime in the jury room.

  • What can I take into the jury room?
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    You can only take the following:

    • any notes you have made during the trial
    • a copy of the indictment, which is a list of the offences with which the defendant is charged
    • any exhibits submitted during the trial that you have been permitted to take

    No mobile phones can be taken into the jury room. Any juror found with one can be found in contempt of court, and can be fined or imprisoned.

  • What facilities are there in the jury room?
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    Drinks will be available. There will also be toilets in an adjoining room that are exclusively for your use.

  • Can I smoke in the jury room?
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    Smoking is strongly discouraged in the jury room.

  • What happens if I am concerned about the behaviour of another juror?
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    If you think a jury member is acting inappropriately you can pass a note to the judge via an usher. Judges can only accept a comment about another juror in writing.

  • Is there a time limit on how long we can deliberate?
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    There is no limit to the time you can spend discussing the case and you should try to reach a decision upon which you are all agreed. However the judge may eventually ask for a majority decision. This is a decision agreed on by most but not all of you. Normally at least 10 of you must agree.

  • What happens if we have not come to a decision by the end of the day?
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    The jury will be brought back into the courtroom and the judge will remind you that you should not talk to anyone about the case. You will then be formally released until the following morning. The next morning you will be called into the courtroom and asked to go to the jury room. Usually you will go home overnight but in some special circumstances you will stay in a hotel. This is normally if the trial has a high media profile, and you may be exposed to reports which might influence you.

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