WI · jury_instructions
Wis JI-Criminal 515
Unanimous Verdict and Selection of Presiding Juror
This is a criminal, not a civil, case; therefore, before the jury may return a verdict
which may legally be received, the verdict must be reached unanimously. In a criminal
case, all 12 jurors must agree in order to arrive at a verdict.
When you retire to the jury room, select one of your members to preside over your
deliberations. The presiding juror’s vote is entitled to no greater weight than the vote of
any other juror.
If you need to communicate with the court while you are deliberating, send a note
through the bailiff, signed by the presiding juror. To have a complete record of this trial,
it is important that you communicate with the court only by a written note. If you have
questions, the court will talk with the attorneys before answering so it may take some time.
You should continue your deliberations while you wait for an answer. The court will
answer any questions in writing or orally here in open court.1
When you have agreed upon your verdict, have it signed and dated by the person you
have selected to preside.
After you have reached a verdict:
• The presiding juror will notify the bailiff that a verdict has been reached.
• Everyone will return to the courtroom.
• The verdict will be read into the record in open court.
• The court may ask each of you if you agree with the verdict.2
Swear the officer.
History
Wis JI-Criminal 515 (1/2023). Release No. 61. Wisconsin Court System, 1/2023. Prepared by the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions Committee of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference with the University of Wisconsin Law School; posted by the Wisconsin State Law Library with the University's permission.
Provenance
- Source
- wilawlibrary.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-24
- Edition
- 2026-09-24
- Content hash
3bf68436dd70dbd9eb1519bbf1469a7b61c30ec96224d3f3a02f1215ead72464
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