Do arrive on time and return promptly after breaks and lunch. The trial cannot proceed until all jurors are present.
Do pay close attention. If you cannot hear what is being said, raise your hand and let the judge know.
Do keep an open mind.
Do listen carefully to the instructions read by the judge. It is your duty to accept what the judge says about the law to be applied to the case.
Do not send or receive communications about the case, including texting, emailing, blogging, tweeting, social networking, or using any other electronic communications to discuss, or even mention the case.
Do not conduct internet research or seek information about any aspect of the case.
Do not try to guess what the judge thinks about the case. Remember that rulings from the bench do not reflect the judge's personal views.
Do not discuss any aspect of the case with anyone until the trial is concluded, including your family and friends.
Do not discuss the case with other jurors until your deliberations.
Do not talk to the lawyers, parties, or witnesses about anything.
Do not try to uncover evidence on your own, such as visiting locations that are part of the case you are hearing. Do not do research about any issue related to the case.
Do not conduct research about any issue related to the case, such as checking a dictionary for the meaning of a word, using the internet to look at a location on a map, or searching online for background information.
Avoid news reports about the case. If you are accidentally exposed to information about the case or its subject matter, please report it to court staff without sharing the information with your fellow jurors.
During Delibrations
Do work out differences between yourself and other jurors through complete and fair discussions of the evidence and of the judge's instructions.
Do not lose your temper, try to bully or refuse to listen to the opinions of other jurors.
Do not write on, alter or damage exhibits.
Do not draw straws, flip coins or otherwise arrive at your verdict by chance, or the decision will be illegal.
Do not talk to anyone about the case until you are discharged. You may discuss the verdict after you've been discharged but are not required to do so.
