CHAPTER 525
H.P. 1230 - L.D. 1652
An Act Regarding the Number of Jurors Required To Render a Verdict in a Civil Trial
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, correcting the number of jurors required to render a verdict should be done as soon as possible to avoid inconsistencies among civil trials and verdicts; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1204, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 299, §1, is amended to read:
1. Number of members. The court shall seat a jury of either 8 or 9 members, and all jurors shall participate in the verdict unless excused for good cause by the court. Unless the parties otherwise stipulate, the verdict must be decided by the unanimous votes of at least 3/4 2/3 of the jurors participating in the verdict and no verdict may be taken from a jury reduced to fewer than 7 members.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective March 3, 2004.
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