SM JUROR Information

Don't let juror misconduct taint your verdict. The SM JUROR Video Box specifically addresses ALL issues of juror misconduct, including those involving social media, the internet and texting, noting that appeals from denials of motions for a new trial or mistrial are reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard of review. Attorneys are beginning to recognize the apparent risk, but do not fully understand how to proceed or preserve issues under the abuse of discretion standard or review, especially when a trial court's remedy, although different from what an attorney may have requested, may be totally appropriate. What's an attorney to do when he or she discovers juror misconduct during voir dire, the trial or even after trial? Does this discovery guarantee a new trial? Should the juror be removed? What if other jurors were exposed to extraneous evidence? Should an attorney wait to see how the trial concludes, and then bring up the issue? Who has the burden of proof and does it shift? What qualifies as extraneous influences and what does not? Is the issue properly preserved? Attorneys need to be careful on how they strategically address and handle the issue of alleged juror misconduct, and properly preserve the issue at trial, and on appeal. Case law on this issue is evolving on a national basis as trial courts and attorneys struggle to preserve the integrity of the verdict, while outside forces from extraneous sources of evidence, including social media, the internet and texting, potentially disengage jurors from weighing only the evidence in the courtroom. Subscribe and get prepared so that juror misconduct does not taint your verdict. Let the SM JUROR Video Box help you identify, preserve and advance juror misconduct issues at trial, and on appeal. Because the only evidence you want to jury to consider ... is in the courtroom. For more information, call 1630-849-3070, email nzahour@smjuror.com or visit LinkedIn profile of Nilgün Aykent Zahour.