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To: over3Owithabrain; All

>> at what point (how much time) of no verdict reached would the judge attempt to poll the jury to see the split and either allow more time or declare a hung jury?

This doesn’t directly answer your good question — I think the judge has wide latitude but that’s JMO.

For what it’s worth, here is what the official FLORIDA STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS says about jury deadlock:

105
4.1 JURY DEADLOCK

I know that all of you have worked hard to try to find a verdict in this case. It apparently has been impossible for you so far. Sometimes an early vote before discussion can make it hard to reach an agreement about the case later. The vote, not the discussion, might make it hard to see all sides of the case.

We are all aware that it is legally permissible for a jury to disagree. There are two things a jury can lawfully do: agree on a verdict or disagree on what the facts of the case may truly be.

There is nothing to disagree about on the law. The law is as I told you. If you have any disagreements about the law, I should clear them up for you now. That should be my problem, not yours.

If you disagree over what you believe the evidence showed, then only you can resolve that conflict, if it is to be resolved.

I have only one request of you. By law, I cannot demand this of you, but I want you to go back into the jury room. Then, taking turns, tell each of the other jurors about any weakness of your own position. You should not interrupt each other or comment on each other’s views until each of you has had a chance to talk. After you have done that, if you simply cannot reach a verdict, then return to the courtroom and I will declare this case mistried, and will discharge you with my sincere appreciation for your services.

You may now retire to continue with your deliberations.

Source: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury_instructions/chapters/entireversion/onlinejurryinstructions.pdf


703 posted on 07/13/2013 10:39:04 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Without GOD, men get what they deserve.)
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To: Nervous Tick

Good info thanks. Those jury instructions seem to recommend the jury NOT taking a vote right away amongst themselves but rather going thru all the evidence then doing so.


718 posted on 07/13/2013 10:45:00 AM PDT by over3Owithabrain
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To: Nervous Tick

CNN has a site with the length of deliberation in other trials. Casey Anthony’s trial, also in Florida, took just less than 11 hours.


847 posted on 07/13/2013 11:32:21 AM PDT by MHT
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