In What Ways Can a Jury Be Tainted?

If you believe you were given an unfair trial in a criminal case or the jury was biased, you may be allowed to appeal the guilty verdict. Here are several ways juries can be compromised and what to do next to protect your legal rights.  

Jury Misconduct 101  

Misconduct by jury members can take a number of different forms. Multiple jurors may be at fault, or just one. If a juror doesn’t follow instructions, lies, or is biased by outside information, the defendant’s case could be negatively impacted. If you can prove this occurred in your case, you should be able to file an appeal. 

What Misconduct Looks Like 

The following examples are situations where juror misconduct may lead to the right to appeal: 

Jury Members Who Are Prejudiced or Unqualified  

A jury member may be biased for or against a defendant based on race, gender, religion, or other personal circumstances. Or, jurors may make up their mind about a defendant based only on the crime they’re charged with. Jurors can also be unqualified to serve if they have specific medical conditions that are permanent, such as brain injuries that impact cognition, or aren’t legal U.S. citizens. 

Jurors Who Are Externally Influenced by the Media 

Often, jurors are restricted from consuming media while they are serving on a criminal case. This is because the media can easily sway jury members for or against the defendant based on news coverage versus jurors making decisions based solely on the facts of the case. This is particularly true in high profile cases that get a lot of media coverage; in some instances, jurors may not be able to contact outsiders, watch television shows, or travel at all during the trial because the risk of media exposure is too high. 

Jurors Who Are Externally Influenced by the Court  

Jury members also cannot be influenced by court members like administrative clerks, security, bailiffs, etc. You should seek an appeal of your case if it’s later determined after your conviction that the jury had information from outside sources. 

How to Appeal Your Case in Texas Based On Juror Misconduct 

If you think your case was tainted by a biased jury or that the jurors engaged in misconduct that affected the outcome of your case, it’s crucial that you take action now. Contact the experienced Texas criminal defense attorneys at the Bourlon Law Firm today to schedule a consultation at (361) 289-6040.