Once the jury has finished deliberating in a criminal case, the foreperson informs the court that the jury has reached a verdict. The judge then calls the court to order. Next, the foreperson announces the verdict. The verdict is then officially recorded.
At the request of the prosecutor or the defendant, each juror can be asked for their decision individually. If one of the juror’s responses does not match the verdict announced by the foreperson, the judge will then order the jury to return to deliberation. If there is no discrepancy with the announced verdict, the judge discharges the jury.
A criminal jury trial is complex and involves many steps. You need an experienced attorney by your side to achieve the best possible outcome. A Philadelphia criminal lawyer will help you navigate this stressful time and work diligently to protect your rights.
Understanding the Importance of Jury Deliberations
Juries play a vital role in the American judicial system. This role is on prominent display during jury deliberations. During this critical stage, the jurors discuss and analyze all presented evidence. The jury collectively reaches a verdict and ensures that all perspectives are considered. This ensures that individual misinterpretations are corrected and the justice system’s integrity is maintained. What occurs during jury deliberations may remain secret. Jurors can decline to answer any questions regarding the jury deliberations unless the judge orders them to do so in the interest of justice.
The Jury’s Role in a Criminal Case
In a criminal case, the jury’s role is of utmost importance as they are responsible for determining the facts of the case. After establishing the facts, the jury then applies the law previously given to them by the judge to adjudicate whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty of each offense charged. In criminal cases, the verdict must be unanimous. This means that all jurors must agree that the defendant is guilty.
The Formal Process of Verdict Announcement
During deliberations, the jury picks a foreperson. This foreperson notifies the court when a unanimous verdict has been reached. Then, in open court, the foreperson announces the verdict.
Before a verdict is recorded, the jury can be polled at the request of either party unless the verdict has been sealed. If the poll indicates a lack of consensus, the jury shall be instructed by the judge to retire for further deliberations.
Possible Outcome of a Jury’s Verdict
For a defendant, the most nerve-wracking part of the trial is when the foreperson announces the jury’s verdict. In a criminal trial, the prosecutor must prove to the jury that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of each charge. There are three possible outcomes of a jury verdict:
- Guilty: A guilty verdict indicates that the jurors believe the prosecution has met its burden of proving the defendant has committed the crime.
- Not Guilty: Not guilty does not mean innocent. Instead, it indicates that the jury believes that the prosecution has not met its burden of proof. In other words, the prosecution did not prove the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Notably, a defendant cannot be retried on the exact charges.
- Hung Jury: A mistrial is declared when a jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, also known as a hung jury. After a mistrial due to a hung jury, the prosecutor may retry the case with a new jury.
Appeals and Their Importance
In Pennsylvania, every defendant has the right to file an appeal. The appeal process is crucial because it allows the review of a lower court’s decision and correcting any legal errors. Additionally, it ensures fairness and consistency in the application of law.
Appeals can only begin after a defendant is convicted. The defendant has ten days to file formal challenges to the court record. This step is critical, as court records are the focus of the appeals process. So, it is essential for any objection not already entered during the trial to be made within this ten-day window. The convicted has 30 days from the date of conviction to file a notice of appeal.
The trial court has 120 days to respond to these challenges. Courts rarely overturn their rulings based on these motions. The judge will likely deny the motion with a written opinion, and the appeals process will begin.
Contact a Lawyer for Your Criminal Case Today!
Facing a criminal jury trial can be both stressful and frightening. It’s crucial to have someone with the necessary experience to guide you through this challenging process—someone you can trust.
If you need a reliable and experienced lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Lidia Alperovich today! We have extensive experience handling all types of criminal cases in Pennsylvania. Call us at (215)355-9105 to get the answers you need.