Jury answers ?

Question

When your on a jury you listen to the whole trial and then they send the jury to get the answer right? Do you write your answer on paper and then they tally the results or how does that work?

Answer 1

Actually, the judge gives the jury instructions both before, during, and after evidence is heard.  For instance, at the beginning of the trial, the judge will warn the jury about not reading about the trial in the newspapers or discussing the case with anyone (or each other) during the trial.  

After the trial, the judge will give the jury many more instructions, including electing a foreman (or foreperson) who will preside over the jury deliberations.  Once the foreperson is elected, the jury normally discusses the testimony and evidence.  (The judge will have instructed the jury about each point that the plaintiff or prosecution must have proven.)  Often, the voting takes place as you have described -- the jurors each write their verdict on a piece of paper and the foreperson counts the votes.  If it is a criminal case, they may take numerous votes until all jurors agree.  Even in a civil case, there may not be a verdict on the first vote, since some of the jurors may have abstained.  Occasionally, the jury will decide to have a voice vote instead of a secret ballot.

Answer 2

The jury is largely its own "government," once they go behind closed doors, and they can tally their votes any way they want [show of hands, secret written ballot, etc.]. The final verdict is recorded on a form the court gives them and is signed by the foreperson.