Opinion ID: 874772
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The district court had the authority to issue its order prohibiting appellate counsel from contacting trial jurors absent express approval by the court.

Text: Hall argues that as no statute, or rule promulgated by this Court, limits contact with the jury, the district court lacked the authority to enter its order. The State responds that it is within the inherent authority of the district court to protect jurors and the efficient operation of the court's proceedings. In Townsel v. Superior Court, the Supreme Court of California was confronted with an identical question. 20 Cal.4th 1084, 86 Cal.Rptr.2d 602, 979 P.2d 963 (1999). The Court first noted that, subsequent to the district court entering an order prohibiting juror contact absent prior court approval, the California Code of Civil Procedure had been amended to provide a similar rule. Id., 86 Cal.Rptr.2d 602, 979 P.2d at 964. The Court noted that trial courts have inherent as well as statutory discretion to control the proceedings to ensure the efficacious administration of justice and that, in exercising such discretion, the trial court may deny to the losing party in a legal proceeding unqualified access to the jury after the conclusion of the trial. Id., 86 Cal.Rptr.2d 602, 979 P.2d at 968 (internal quotations omitted). The Court affirmed the trial court's authority to enter such an order. Id., 86 Cal.Rptr.2d 602, 979 P.2d at 969. See also Sheppard v. Maxwell, 384 U.S. 333, 363, 86 S.Ct. 1507, 1522, 16 L.Ed.2d 600, 620 (1966) (The courts must take such steps by rule and regulation that will protect their processes from prejudicial outside interferences.); Miller v. United States, 403 F.2d 77, 81-82 (2nd Cir.1968) (upholding inherent authority of court to order all contacts with the jury to occur through the supervision of the court); Talbot v. Ames Const., 127 Idaho 648, 652, 904 P.2d 560, 564 (1995) (discussing powers inherent to the judicial branch). We find that a district court has the inherent authority to enter an order restricting contact with the jury, including post-verdict contact.