WHAT EVERY JUROR SHOULD KNOW

Residents in Michigan have a duty to serve as jurors if called upon to do so.

Being a juror might not seem difficult, but serving as a juror is serious and involves following rules and fulfilling promises upon which the justice system relies. What do jurors discover as they serve? Try this quiz to find out. Answer the questions one at a time. Put your cursor over the button next to the answer you think is best.

Do jurors decide what laws apply to the case before them, and what do those laws mean?
No! It is the judge's job to decide questions of law. Jurors decide questions of fact. Yes. Jurors do decide these questions of law.
Correct! It is the judge's job to decide questions of law. Jurors decide questions of fact.No. The judge decides questions of law, and the jurors decide questions of fact.
No! It is the judge's job to decide questions of law. Jurors decide questions of fact.Sometimes. It depends on what kind of case the jurors are thinking about.
Is it okay for a juror to make a decision before hearing all the evidence?
No! A juror should hear all of the evidence before deciding.Yes. But only if the juror is quite sure the decision is correct.
Correct! A juror should hear all of the evidence before deciding the case.No. A juror should wait until all the evidence has been heard.
No! No matter what evidence has been presented, a juror should wait and hear all of the evidence before deciding the case.It depends on how certain the juror is.
Is it okay for a juror to sympathize with the victim or the defendant as the juror makes a decision?
Correct!No. The juror's decision should be based on the facts, not on sympathy.
No! Personal feelings toward the victim or defendant should not be considered when deciding guilt.Yes. If the evidence is close, a juror can decide in favor of the person with whom the juror feels a close connection.
No! Personal feelings toward the victim or defendant should not be considered when deciding guilt.Yes. We can never know the truth for sure, so it is okay for a juror to go with feelings.
In deciding whether a person committed a crime, should a juror think about what the punishment is going to be?
No! Possible punishment should not be considered when deciding the case.Yes. If the jurors think the punishment will be too harsh, they should find the person "not guilty."
No! Possible punishment should not be considered when deciding the case.It depends on what sort of punishment the person might receive.
Correct!No. The possible punishment should not effect the jury's decision about whether the person is guilty.
Should jurors investigate the facts during breaks in the trial, to find out what really happened?
 No! A juror must consider only the evidence presented in the courtroom during the trial.Yes. A good juror tries everything to learn as much as possible about the case.
No! There may be legal reasons that a seemingly obvious question is not asked in the courtroom during the trial.Yes. If there are important facts that the lawyers forgot to mention during the trial.
Correct!No. A juror can consider only the evidence presented in the courtroom during trial.
During the trial, can a juror talk about the case with family members or other jurors?
Correct!No. It is important that the jurors not discuss the case with anyone until the judge tells them it is time to decide.*
No! It is important that a juror not discuss the case with anyone until after all of the evidence is heard.During a trial, the other jurors are the only people with whom a juror may discuss the case.
No! It is important that the juror not discuss the case with anyone until after all the evidence is heard.Yes. A trial is public, and so jurors can talk with anyone about the case.
* Following jury reforms effective September 1, 2011, civil juries may discuss evidence in the jury room during recesses when all jurors are present. However, they must hear all evidence, instructions, and argument before making a decision. This rule does not apply in criminal cases.
When it's time for the jury to decide the case, can the jurors ask to see or hear the evidence from the trial one more time?
 Incorrect! Sometimes a jury needs to have their memories refreshed when determining a case. They can see evidence again or have the court reporter read the trial's record.No. The jurors must decide the case from what is in their memories.
No! The lawyers have no say in whether evidence is presented again to the jury.It depends on whether the lawyers are willing to let the jurors see or hear the evidence again.
Correct! Jurors are not required to rely on their memories when deciding a case.Yes. If the jurors need to see or hear some of the evidence again, they can ask the judge to let them do so.
How many persons are on a jury?
No! Serious criminal cases have 12 persons on the jury. Civil cases and less serious criminal cases have 6 persons on the jury.All juries have six persons.
No! Serious criminal cases have 12 persons on the jury. Civil cases and less serious criminal cases have 6 persons on the jury.All juries have twelve persons .
Correct! Serious criminal cases have 12 persons on the jury. Civil cases and less serious criminal cases have 6 persons on the jury.It depends on what kind of case it is.
Must a jury reach a unanimous verdict? Do they all have to agree on the verdict?
 Correct! In a criminal case, all of the jurors—either six or 12, depending upon the severity of the crime—must agree on the decision. Typically, a civil case is decided when five of the six jurors agree. In a small number of civil cases, four of six jurors can determine the verdict, if the parties allow.It depends on what kind of case it is.
No! In a serious criminal trial, all 12 jurors must agree on the decision. Civil cases and less serious criminal cases can be decided if 5 of the 6 jurors agree on the decision of the case.Yes. All jury verdicts must be unanimous.
No! In a serious criminal trial, all 12 jurors must agree on the decision. Civil cases and less serious criminal cases can be decided if 5 of the 6 jurors agree on the decision of the case.No. A jury can decide a case if a majority of the jurors agree.

Question and answer sheet for this exhibit.


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