Legal Definitions - jury sequestration

Jury sequestration refers to the practice of isolating a jury from the public and outside influences during a trial. This measure is typically ordered by a judge to prevent jurors from being exposed to information, media coverage, or external pressures that could potentially bias their decision-making or compromise their impartiality. Sequestered jurors are often housed in a hotel, have their access to news, social media, and personal communication restricted, and are escorted to and from the courthouse.

• Example 1: In a highly publicized criminal trial involving a prominent politician accused of corruption, the judge ordered jury sequestration. The jurors were lodged in a hotel for the duration of the trial, had their cell phones collected each evening, and were provided with supervised entertainment to ensure they did not encounter news reports, social media discussions, or public opinions about the case that could sway their judgment.

  This illustrates jury sequestration because the jury was physically isolated and their access to external information was controlled to protect them from the intense media scrutiny and public sentiment surrounding the high-profile defendant.

• Example 2: During a complex civil lawsuit concerning a multi-billion dollar patent infringement, the judge decided to sequester the jury. Given the significant financial stakes and the potential for powerful corporate interests to attempt to influence the proceedings, the jury was kept together under supervision, limiting their contact with anyone outside the courtroom staff and their fellow jurors.

  This demonstrates jury sequestration as it was used to safeguard the jury from potential tampering or undue influence from external parties with a vested interest in the trial's outcome, ensuring their focus remained solely on the evidence presented in court.

• Example 3: A lengthy murder trial, expected to last several weeks, involved graphic testimony and generated strong emotional responses within the community. To ensure the jurors remained objective and were not affected by local gossip, protests, or informal discussions about the case, the judge ordered them to be sequestered. They were transported daily between a secure hotel and the courthouse, with all their meals and activities managed to prevent any unauthorized contact.

  This exemplifies jury sequestration by showing how it can be used in emotionally charged or prolonged trials to shield jurors from community pressure and external emotional influences, allowing them to deliberate solely on the legal facts and evidence presented in court.