Court Opinion

ID: 9576907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:29:57.821662+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:19:42.837039
License: Public Domain

NEIGHBORS, Justice,
concurring and specially concurring:
I concur in the opinion and judgment of the court. I write separately, however, only for the purpose of expressing my strong opposition to trial judges discussing the merits of the case with the jurors who returned the verdict. In footnote 5 of the court's opinion, we learn that the trial judge discussed this case with the jurors who rendered the verdict.
A serious and substantial twofold problem is created when judges participate in post-verdict discussions- with jurors about the merits of the trial. First, no matter how conscientious and detached a judge may be, he or she may be influenced, at least to some extent, by.the jurors’ comments when later ruling on motions for a new trial in both civil and criminal cases, as well as sentencing in a criminal proceeding. For instance, evidentiary rulings or instructions which caused the jury to reach a result which the judge believes is unfair may cause the judge, subconsciously, to exercise discretion in a way not justified under the totality of the evidence. Second, comments by the trial judge to the jurors about the attorneys, evidence, instructions, verdict and the like, may so taint a juror that he or she is disqualified from future jury service. For example, comments by the judge about the possible reasons that a defendant in a criminal case did not testify or the judge’s opinions of expert witnesses in a civil case may become fixed in a juror’s mind so that the juror would find it difficult to serve in another case. Generally, jurors have the highest respect for trial judges. Therefore, any comments by the judge must be made with great caution and circumspection, lest they be misinterpreted or misunderstood by the jurors.
I have no objection to judges discussing administrative details of jury service with the jurors. However, I am firmly convinced that any discussion of the merits of the case with jurors is perilous for the litigants, the jurors, and the judge.
I am authorized to say that Justice LOHR joins me in the concurrence and special concurrence.