Improper Influence of a Juror
One of the most basic rights guaranteed to criminal defendants by our federal and state constitutions is the right to have a trial by a jury of one's peers. In such cases, countless hours of preparation, strategizing, and hard work go into trying to influence a jury to vote one way or the other. Very often a juror's vote determines whether a defendant walks away scot-free or serves a lengthy prison sentence. How tempting it must be, then, for a party to a criminal case to want to communicate privately or improperly with a juror or influence them to vote one way or the other.
Improperly influencing a juror in Tennessee is described as follows:
(a) A person commits an offense who privately communicates with a juror with intent to influence the outcome of the proceeding on the basis of considerations other than those authorized by law.
It is important to note that the only method of communication with a juror that is "authorized by law" is presenting your best case in court in an effort to persuade the jury that your side is correct. Privately communicating with a juror outside of the courtroom, offering a juror a bribe, or taking any other action meant to earn or buy a juror's vote constitute unauthorized forms of communication and are illegal in Tennessee.
Improperly influencing a juror is a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee, meaning that anyone engaging in such activity could be facing eleven months and twenty nine days in jail. The best way to avoid such activity is to hire a criminal defense attorney with the knowledge and integrity to present an effective case in court so that there is no pressure to try to improperly influence any member of the jury pool. East Tennesseans who are charged with any offense should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can work hard to win the defendant's case in a straightforward and ethical manner.
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