Juror Conduct
After you are sworn in as a juror, there are some rules of conduct you should observe.
If the trial is such as to attract public notice either in newspapers or on the radio, television, or the Internet, jurors must not read news accounts or listen to radio or view television broadcasts concerning the case.
The information in this section has been provided courtesy of the Indiana State Bar Association.
- Arrive on time for court sessions. Each juror must hear all the evidence. Tardiness causes delay for the judge, the lawyers, the witnesses, and the other jurors.
- Always sit in the same seat. This enables the judge, the clerk, the bailiff, and the lawyers to identify you more easily.
- Listen to every question and answer. Because you must base your verdict on the evidence, you should listen every question asked and the answer given.
- The court may permit you to take notes. If so, do not let your note taking distract you from listening to all of the evidence.
- Control your emotions. You should not indicate by exclamation, facial contortion, or any other expression how any evidence or any incident during the trial affects you.
- Don't be an amateur detective. The only evidence you can consider is the evidence that is presented in Court. You are not allowed to make an independent investigation or visit any of the places involved in the matter. If it is proper or necessary for you to inspect a place involved in the case, the judge will so order.
- When in doubt, ask the bailiff. If you are in doubt about your rights or duties as a juror, you should not ask anyone but the bailiff for information. If an emergency affecting your service should arise, consult the bailiff about it.
- According to Jury Rule 20(a)(8), which permits jurors to discuss the case with fellow jurors during recesses, "(a) the Court shall instruct the jury before opening statements by reading the appropriate instructions which shall include at least the following: ... (8) that jurors, including alternates, are permitted to discuss the evidence among themselves in the jury room during recesses from trial when all are present, as long as they reserve judgment about the outcome of the case until deliberations commence. The court shall admonish jurors not to discuss the case with anyone other than fellow jurors during the trial."
- With the above exception, do not discuss the case or permit others to mention it to you or in your presence during the trial. During the progress of the trial, no juror may discuss the case with anyone, not even with friends or at home with members of his or her family. There is a natural tendency to want to do so, but that must be absolutely overcome. No juror should permit anyone outside of the jury to talk to him or her about the case on trial. If anyone approaches you and attempts to discuss the case, report it to the judge immediately and privately.
If the trial is such as to attract public notice either in newspapers or on the radio, television, or the Internet, jurors must not read news accounts or listen to radio or view television broadcasts concerning the case.
The information in this section has been provided courtesy of the Indiana State Bar Association.