Is jury tampering a felony?

Is Jury Tampering a Felony?

The integrity of the judicial system is crucial to ensuring justice is served. One of the most critical components of this system is the jury, a group of citizens who are tasked with deciding the fate of a defendant in a court of law. However, the process can be compromised if individuals try to influence the outcome of a trial through illegal means. Jury tampering, also known as jury tampering or jury misconduct, is a serious offense that can have severe consequences. In this article, we will explore whether jury tampering is a felony and the legal implications that come with it.

Is Jury Tampering a Felony?

The short answer is yes, jury tampering is a felony in most jurisdictions. In the United States, 18 U.S.C. § 1512, which is part of the federal criminal code, defines jury tampering as an offense. The statute states that:

"Whoever, with intent to influence the testifying of any witness or the production of any evidence in an official proceeding or to intimidate or impede any witness or party or to influence the decision or action of any grand or trial jury, shall approach or follow or attempt to approach or follow, with intent to intimidate or injure, any grand or trial juror, witness, or party, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both."

Consequences of Jury Tampering

Jury tampering can result in severe consequences, including:

• Imprisonment: Depending on the jurisdiction, individuals found guilty of jury tampering can face imprisonment ranging from a few years to decades.
• Fines: In addition to imprisonment, individuals may also be required to pay significant fines.
• Loss of Civil Rights: In extreme cases, individuals may even lose their civil rights, such as the right to vote or own a firearm.
• Criminal Record: A conviction for jury tampering can lead to a criminal record, which can have long-lasting consequences for an individual’s personal and professional life.

Types of Jury Tampering

There are several types of jury tampering, including:

• Approaching or following a juror: This can include attempting to intimidate or influence a juror outside of the courtroom or attempting to follow them to their home or workplace.
• Contacting a juror: This can include making phone calls, sending emails, or sending letters to a juror with the intent to influence their decision.
• Attempting to bribe a juror: This can include offering a juror a bribe or other forms of compensation in exchange for their vote.
• Intimidating a witness: This can include threatening or intimidating a witness who is testifying in a trial.

Examples of Jury Tampering

Here are a few examples of jury tampering:

• In 2019, a man was arrested for attempting to bribe a juror in a high-profile murder trial in Florida. The man offered the juror $10,000 in exchange for a not-guilty verdict.
• In 2018, a woman was charged with jury tampering after she was accused of contacting a juror in a drug trafficking trial in California. The woman had allegedly sent the juror a series of threatening and intimidating messages.
• In 2017, a man was arrested for attempting to intimidate a juror in a gang-related murder trial in New York. The man had allegedly approached the juror outside of the courtroom and threatened to harm them if they convicted the defendant.

How to Report Jury Tampering

If you suspect that jury tampering has occurred, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities immediately. Here are some steps you can follow:

• Contact the court: If you are aware of jury tampering that has occurred during a trial, you can contact the court where the trial was held. The court will likely have a procedure in place for reporting jury tampering.
• Contact the FBI: If the jury tampering occurred during a federal trial, you can contact the FBI. The FBI has a dedicated hotline for reporting jury tampering.
• Contact your local authorities: If the jury tampering occurred during a state trial, you can contact your local authorities. They will likely have a procedure in place for reporting jury tampering.

Conclusion

Jury tampering is a serious offense that can have severe consequences. It is important to understand the legal implications of jury tampering and to report any suspected instances to the appropriate authorities. In this article, we have explored the definition of jury tampering, the consequences of jury tampering, and the types of jury tampering. We have also provided examples of jury tampering and outlined the steps you can take to report suspected instances of jury tampering.

Table: Consequences of Jury Tampering

Bullets: Types of Jury Tampering

• Approaching or following a juror
• Contacting a juror
• Attempting to bribe a juror
• Intimidating a witness