Functions and Duties of a Jury in Ireland

Information

Jurors fulfill a very important function in the legal system. In a criminal trial, they are charged with the responsibility of deciding whether, on the facts of the case, a person is guilty or not guilty of the offence for which he/she has been charged.

The jury must reach its verdict by considering only the evidence introduced in court and the directions of the judge. The jury does not interpret the law. It follows the directions of the judge as regards legal matters.

During all stages of the trial, jurors may take notes of proceedings. Jurors may also pass notes to the foreman or forewoman of the jury to ask the judge to explain certain aspects of the case.

At the conclusion of the trial, jurors are given an issue paper, which states the issues that the jury must consider in reaching its verdict.

It is not necessary that a jury be unanimous in its verdict. In a civil trial, a verdict may be reached by a majority of nine of the twelve members.

In a criminal case, a verdict need not be unanimous where there are not fewer than eleven jurors if ten of them agree on a verdict after considering the case for a reasonable time (not less than two hours).

When the jury has reached its decision, it will return to the court and the verdict will be read out.

At the end of the case, a Court Garda or other official are required to keep the jury together until the verdict is reached.

Jurors are taken into the jury room and allowed no outside communication at all, with the exception of notes to the Court Registrar. They may keep a copy of the indictment, the exhibits and their notes.

Jurors may send out notes asking for the law to be further explained or for the judge to remind them of the details of the evidence. They will then be brought back into the court for the judge to give them such assistance as he/she can but there can be no new evidence at this stage.

The jury has no role in sentencing. This decision is left up to the judge following submissions made by both sides.

There are mandatory sentences for some offences. For example, if a jury finds a person guilty of murder, the judge is obliged to impose a sentence of life imprisonment.