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Jury Deliberations: Difference between revisions
→Jury Questions
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</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Procedure in Considering Questions | |||
When a judge recevies a question from the jury, they should:<ref> | |||
''R v Dunbar and Logan'' (1982), [http://canlii.ca/t/gb3gd 1982 CanLII 3324] (ON CA){{perONCA|Martin JA}}{{at|34}} | |||
</ref> | |||
# read the communication in open court in the presence of all parties; | |||
# give counsel an opportunity to make submissions in open court prior to dealing with the question; | |||
# answer the question for the jury in open court in the presence of all parties. | |||
; Importance of Answers | |||
Answers to questions carry "an influence far exceeding instructions given".<ref> | Answers to questions carry "an influence far exceeding instructions given".<ref> | ||
''R v Grandine'', [http://canlii.ca/t/h5zqf 2017 ONCA 718] (CanLII){{perONCA|Brown JA}} (3:0){{at|62}}<br> | ''R v Grandine'', [http://canlii.ca/t/h5zqf 2017 ONCA 718] (CanLII){{perONCA|Brown JA}} (3:0){{at|62}}<br> | ||
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</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Unclear Question | |||
Where a jury question is unclear, the judge should seek clarification before attempting to provide an answer.<ref> | Where a jury question is unclear, the judge should seek clarification before attempting to provide an answer.<ref> | ||
''R v Shannon'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fltfr 2011 BCCA 270] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Finch JA}} (3:0)</ref> | ''R v Shannon'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fltfr 2011 BCCA 270] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Finch JA}} (3:0)</ref> | ||
; Requirements of Answer | |||
Jury questions must be answered "clearly, correctly and comprehensively".<ref> | Jury questions must be answered "clearly, correctly and comprehensively".<ref> | ||
{{supra1|W(D)}}{{atps|759-760}}<br> | {{supra1|W(D)}}{{atps|759-760}}<br> | ||
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</ref> | </ref> | ||
In responding to a jury question, it is often advisable that the judge invite the jury to return with further questions if the response does not assist.<ref> | |||
''R v Layton'', [http://canlii.ca/t/217bw 2008 MBCA 118] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Hamilton JA}} | |||
</ref> | |||
; Mode of Communication with Jury | |||
A judge should not communicate with the jury by sending notes with unsolicited information without the input on counsel.<ref> | A judge should not communicate with the jury by sending notes with unsolicited information without the input on counsel.<ref> | ||
''R v Edwards'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1clsl 2002 CanLII 41587] (ON CA){{TheCourtONCA}} (3:0) | ''R v Edwards'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1clsl 2002 CanLII 41587] (ON CA){{TheCourtONCA}} (3:0) | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Effects of Errors | |||
Any errors in a response to a jury cannot be remedied simply by referring back to the correctness of original charge.<ref> | Any errors in a response to a jury cannot be remedied simply by referring back to the correctness of original charge.<ref> | ||
{{supra1|S(WD)}}{{atps|530 to 531}} (SCR)</ref> | {{supra1|S(WD)}}{{atps|530 to 531}} (SCR)</ref> | ||
; Improper Answers | |||
An answer should never discourage further questions on any subject.<ref> | An answer should never discourage further questions on any subject.<ref> | ||
''R v Layton'', [2009] 2 SCR 540, [http://canlii.ca/t/24qq0 2009 SCC 36] (CanLII){{perSCC|Rothstein J}} (5:2){{at|33}}</ref> | ''R v Layton'', [2009] 2 SCR 540, [http://canlii.ca/t/24qq0 2009 SCC 36] (CanLII){{perSCC|Rothstein J}} (5:2){{at|33}}</ref> | ||
; Specific Problems | |||
In answering a question regarding the [[Standard of Proof|standard of proof of "beyond a reasonable doubt"]], there is nothing per se wrong with simply reciting the standard anew.<ref> | In answering a question regarding the [[Standard of Proof|standard of proof of "beyond a reasonable doubt"]], there is nothing per se wrong with simply reciting the standard anew.<ref> | ||
{{ibid1|Layton}}{{ats|29, 32}}</ref> | {{ibid1|Layton}}{{ats|29, 32}}</ref> | ||
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</ref> | </ref> | ||
; Answer Need Not Conform to Theory of Parties | |||
A question may find it necessary to "instruct the jury in a manner that does not accord with the theory advanced by either Crown or defence counsel".<ref> | A question may find it necessary to "instruct the jury in a manner that does not accord with the theory advanced by either Crown or defence counsel".<ref> | ||
''R v Ranger'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5xwr 2003 CanLII 32900] (ONCA){{perONCA|Charron JA}} (3:0){{at|135}}<br> | ''R v Ranger'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5xwr 2003 CanLII 32900] (ONCA){{perONCA|Charron JA}} (3:0){{at|135}}<br> | ||