14 §1204. Civil juries - Maine Statutes

Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL

Part 3: TRIAL AND JUDGMENT

Chapter 305: JURIES

Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

§1204. Civil juries

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.

[ 2003, c. 525, §1 (AMD) .]

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.

[ 2003, c. 299, §1 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

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