What Are the Different Types of Juror Misconduct?
You may be able to appeal a criminal conviction if your trial was unfair, the judge made an error, or the jury acted in bad faith. Here are some of the ways juries can be corrupted, and how to get legal help.
The Basics of Juror Misconduct
Misconduct or bias on the part of jury members can occur in many ways. One juror, or a group of jurors, may be guilty of misconduct. The defendant’s case may be damaged if a juror fails to follow court instructions, lies, or is swayed by extraneous information. You should be eligible to file a criminal appeal if you can prove jury misconduct.
How Do Jurors Neglect Their Duty?
Here are some ways jury members can neglect their duty to the court:
They Are Prejudiced or Biased
A jury member may be considered biased or prejudiced if they make up their mind about the defendant based on personal information, their race, religion, gender, or the crime they’re accused of without taking into account the actual evidence presented during trial.
They Were Improperly Influenced by the Court
Courts are not allowed to influence jury members in any way for or against the defendant. Their job is to facilitate the presentation of evidence and a defense to a jury of peers rather than to attempt to sway the opinion of a jury member.
One way this might happen is if a court clerk or bailiff discusses evidence with one or more jurors that was initially considered inadmissible in court. This means that jury members will be considering more evidence than was presented in court, which can lead to an erroneous final verdict.
They Were Exposed to Media Coverage of the Case
Media coverage of the case should also be avoided by individuals serving on a jury. If jury members watch the news or read magazine covers with sensationalist headlines about the case, this could also cause them to form opinions about the defendant that aren’t strictly related to the facts of the case.
Was Your Connecticut Criminal Case Affected by Jury Misconduct? You May Be Able to Appeal
Don’t wait after being convicted of a crime to contact a Connecticut criminal defense attorney with experience helping clients successfully appealing guilty verdicts. Attorney J. Christopher Llinas has the expertise and track record needed to aggressively represent you in an appeals case after you were found guilty due to jury misconduct. Call now for your consultation at 860-530-1781 (Portland) or 860-969-0480 (Hartford).
