US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

     631.09 How and where the jury must be kept while 
  deliberating; requiring separate accommodations for jurors. 

    At the close of the evidence and after the court has 
 charged the jury, the jury may decide the case in court or 
 retire for deliberation.  If the jury cannot agree on a verdict 
 without retiring, the court shall swear one or more officers to 
 take charge of the jury.  The jury must be kept together in some 
 private and convenient place without food or drink except water 
 unless ordered by the court.  No person may be permitted to 
 speak or communicate with any juror, unless by order of court, 
 nor may a person listen to its deliberations.  The jury must be 
 returned to court upon agreeing on a verdict or when so ordered 
 by the court.  In case of mixed juries counties shall provide 
 adequate, separate quarters for male and female jurors with 
 proper accommodations.  If the county fails to provide proper 
 accommodations, the court shall order the jurors to be housed in 
 a suitable hotel for the night. 

    This section applies only if the jury has failed to agree. 

    HIST: (10713,10713-1) RL s 5366; 1927 c 210 s 1,2; 1981 c 31 s 
 21; 1985 c 265 art 11 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 16 art 1 s 4 

Copyright 2005 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota.