1. Number of members. The court shall seat a jury of either 8 or 9 members, and all jurors shall participate in the verdict unless excused for good cause by the court. Unless the parties otherwise stipulate, the verdict must be decided by the unanimous votes of at least 2/3 of the jurors participating in the verdict and no verdict may be taken from a jury reduced to fewer than 7 members.

[PL 2003, c. 525, §1 (AMD).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 Sec. 1204

  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
2. Procedures. At the commencement of each term, the clerk shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of those appearing for duty as traverse jurors. Before each trial, after the court has ruled on challenges for cause, the clerk shall randomly draw by lot from the names of all eligible jurors a sufficient number to comprise the jury panel plus enough to account for peremptory challenges. Peremptory challenges may then be exercised in accordance with court rules. When the panel is complete, the court shall appoint a foreperson to oversee deliberations and to speak for the jury.

[PL 2003, c. 299, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1965, c. 356, §§12,13 (AMD). PL 1967, c. 441, §3 (AMD). PL 1971, c. 391, §3 (AMD). PL 1971, c. 581, §1 (AMD). PL 1975, c. 41, §1 (AMD). PL 1977, c. 102 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 299, §1 (RPR). PL 2003, c. 525, §1 (AMD).