This is a Complaint pleading for use in litigation of the title matter. Adapt this form to comply with your facts and circumstances, and with your specific state law. Not recommended for use by non-attorneys.
This is a Complaint pleading for use in litigation of the title matter. Adapt this form to comply with your facts and circumstances, and with your specific state law. Not recommended for use by non-attorneys.
The judge may declare a mistrial as to any charges upon which the jury cannot agree upon a verdict; provided, however, that the judge may first require the jury to return verdicts on those charges upon which the jury can agree and direct that such verdicts be received and recorded.
Unanimous 12 Person Jury Required For criminal charges, both misdemeanors and felonies, California requires a unanimous 12 person jury to render a verdict of “guilty” or “not guilty.” If even just one of the 12 jurors disagrees with the other 11 after careful consideration of the evidence, this results in a hung jury.
The law requires twelve (12) jurors to be seated in a criminal case and only eight jurors are required in a civil case. In a criminal trial, the jury must find a defendant "guilty" or "not guilty" by a unanimous vote. In civil cases, the law requires a vote of at least three-fourths of the jury to reach a verdict.
By Page 3 VT LEG #360660 v.1 statute, Massachusetts provides that a vote of five/sixths of the jurors in a civil case shall constitute a verdict of the jury.
In both civil and criminal trials, if the jury can't agree on a verdict, they report back to the judge. If the judge feels the jury has not deliberated long enough, they will keep trying. A "hung jury" occurs when the jury is hopelessly deadlocked.
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...
You can only be summoned for jury duty once every 3 years. If you receive another summons within the next 3 years, you'll need to provide this certificate to be disqualified. You can prove this in one of 3 ways.
Sole parents, main breadwinners, leader on a big project at work, physical or mental disabilities that may impede your attendance... these things will almost always get you out of Jury Duty, though you should try to bring documentation of some kind to prove it.
Medical conditions, deafness, difficult sitting for long periods, people who know the defendant or officers, people who've been victims of crimes, financial hardship, and more will be excused. Depending on the county, they might call 100 people to select just 12.
Reasons you may be excused from jury service include: You have no means of transportation. You would have to travel an excessive distance to the courthouse. You have a physical or mental impairment. You provide care for a dependent and cannot afford to have someone cover for you.