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Jury bias & misconduct
A verdict must rest on admitted evidence and impartial deliberation
Jury fairness can be undermined by concealed bias, discriminatory selection, outside research, social media, unauthorized site visits, improper communications, threats, or consideration of information not admitted in court. Inquiry into deliberations is tightly limited, and lawful procedures vary.
What failure can look like
- A juror concealed material bias, relationships, prior knowledge, or inability to follow instructions
- Outside research, media, experiments, messages, or information entered deliberations
- Discriminatory jury selection, intimidation, improper contact, or pressure unrelated to the evidence
Protect the record
Preserve public posts, reported contacts, voir dire answers, jury instructions, objections, court notices, and admissible evidence of outside influence without contacting or harassing jurors. Consult trial or appellate counsel immediately about lawful investigation and strict deadlines.