§ 15A-1236. Admonitions to jurors; regulation and separation of jurors. - North Carolina Statutes

§15A‑1236.  Admonitions to jurors; regulation and separation of jurors.

(a)        The judge atappropriate times must admonish the jurors that it is their duty:

(1)        Not to talk amongthemselves about the case except in the jury room after their deliberations havebegun;

(2)        Not to talk toanyone else, or to allow anyone else to talk with them or in their presenceabout the case and that they must report to the judge immediately the attemptof anyone to communicate with them about the case;

(3)        Not to form an opinionabout the guilt or innocence of the defendant, or express any opinion about thecase until they begin their deliberations;

(4)        To avoid reading,watching, or listening to accounts of the trial; and

(5)        Not to talk duringtrial to parties, witnesses, or counsel.

The judge may also admonish themwith respect to other matters which he considers appropriate.

(b)        The judge in hisdiscretion may direct that the jurors be sequestered.

(c)        If the jurors arecommitted to the charge of an officer, he must be sworn by the clerk to keepthe jurors together and not to permit any person to speak or otherwisecommunicate with them on any subject connected with the trial nor to do sohimself, and to return the jurors to the courtroom as directed by the judge. (1977,c. 711, s. 1; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1147, s. 3.)