Court Opinion

ID: 9565709
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:26:21.067574+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:50.753552
License: Public Domain

CROCKETT, Chief Justice
(dissenting):
There would seem to be no question that the remarks of the prosecuting attorney relating to the desirability of pressuring the jury to arrive at a verdict because of money considerations were inappropriate and ill-advised; nor that the situation was not helped any by the court joining in the discussion as to who pays such expenses. But such unfortunate circumstances to develop once in a while during the stress of trial, and that is the reason that the court has the authority to declare a mistrial so that the processes of justice can be carried out with fairness to both sides.1
We should indulge in no conjecture as to whether the impasse in the jury was as to conviction or acquittal. The prosecutor’s recommendation that the jury be urged to “exercise every conceivable effort” to arrive at a verdict indicated his desire that the case be disposed of (this could be either one way or the other, guilty or not guilty) in order to save the time, trouble and expense of another trial.
The court was then confronted with two propositions: first, from the statement of the jurors he could well have thought there was very little likelihood of the jury ever arriving at a verdict; second, even if they did, and the verdict was guilty, there was a basis upon which he could have believed that there was reversible error in the record and that any further proceeding could be of no use. The court exercised the prerogative which is his in conducting the trial and concluded that the interests of justice required the granting of a mistrial. He asked defendant’s counsel if he considered what had occurred to be error, to which he responded in the affirmative. When the court stated, “I will declare a mistrial,” defendant’s counsel had ample opportunity to indicate disagreement with the procedure if he so desired; but he chose to sit by without comment, question or objection, and permit the jury to be discharged. Under well recognized rules, if he had disagreed with that procedure, he should have made timely objection, or be deemed to have waived any objection thereto.2
Defendant’s counsel had not only the duty to provide the best possible defense for his client, but also had, as an officer of the court, a duty to see that the processes of justice were fairly and properly carried out. It would be inconsistent with that duty for him to have in mind that there was substantial error in the re.cord, abide the out*362come of a trial, then if it resulted unfavorably, seek to upset the result. It does not harmonize with my ideas of fairness and justice to say that the defendant has been in jeopardy, when in fact the jury was not allowed to make a determination as to guilt or innocence. In view of the combination of circumstances then confronting the court: that there appeared to be very little likelihood that the jury would agree upon a verdict, plus the fact that both the court and defense counsel thought that in discussing that matter, error had occurred which would vitiate any verdict anyway, the trial court took the logical and proper course — of declaring a mistrial.
The defendant is indeed entitled to all of the protections the law affords, including the right to have his guilt or innocence determined by an unprejudiced jury. By the same measure of fairness, the prosecution, and the public interest it is purposed to protect, are entitled to a determination as to the charge against the defendant in the same manner. That result has not yet been achieved in this case; and in my judgment, the case should be remanded to complete the processes of justice.3
HALL, J., concurs with the views expressed in the opinion of CROCKETT, C. J.

. 76 Am.Jur.2d, Trial, § 1083; 3 Wharton’s Criminal Procedure, § 519.

. 63 A.L.R.2d 782, 793; 21 Am.Jur.2d, Criminal Law, § 195.

. That when a prejudicial error has occurred, the defendant is not entitled to an outright release, but to a new trial in which such errors are eliminated, see State v. Jaramillo, 25 Utah 2d 328, 481 P.2d 394 (1971) and authorities cited therein.