Civil Jury Instructions Home

1.1-1 Obligation of Juror's Oath

Revised to January 1, 2008

You have just taken an oath that governs your conduct between this moment and the time that you render a verdict in this case.  That oath and the rules of court obligate you to do certain things.  I'll refer to these obligations as the rules of juror conduct, and I will remind you of these rules during the trial.  Here are the rules of juror conduct:

1. decide the case based only on the evidence presented in court and on the law I give you;
2. stay away from any location involved in the issues of the case;
3. do not perform any investigation or research of any kind concerning any claim or issue in the case;
4. if there is any publicity about the case or any issue involved in the case, do not expose yourself to it;
5. do not discuss or make any remark about the case or anything about it to anyone until I tell you it's time to do so; "anyone" includes your fellow jurors, the people you go home to, the people you see and converse with on days the case is not in progress, the lawyers, and all court staff;
6. do not allow anyone to make any comment to you about the case or any issue involved in it;
7. when you are deliberating at the end of the case, keep your discussions secret until you deliver your verdict;
8. report any violations of these rules of juror conduct to me.

Authority

General Statutes § 1-25.