Can a jury disregard any prior discussions that had taken place outside the presence of all jurors?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Coakley, B231522 (Cal. App. 2012):

The court was confident the jury could follow its clear order to disregard any prior discussions that had taken place outside the presence of all jurors. On this record the court's investigation into the juror misconduct provided "ample basis for determining whether [the jurors] could fulfill their obligations as jurors. No more was required." (People v. Farnam (2002) 28 Cal.4th 107, 141.)

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