Juries are a group of random people brought together to make a decision about guilt on a legal case. The right to a jury is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
In San Andreas, the process to choose a jury is different than the rest of the country. Instead of sending out summons, San Andreas allows you to choose if you want to be part of the jury. Similar to an amber alert, when a case requires a jury, a mass text will go out to the state requesting people to volunteer to act as the jury for the case. The first 10 will be accepted, the rest can watch the case or go back to what they were doing. There is no obligation to serve on the jury.
Failing to follow these guidelines that are rules could lead a criminal charge of contempt of court.
Fair and Balanced
Juries have a very important role and the consequences of the role can have a lifelong impact on people. For this reason, juries are required to be fair, have an open mind, and use no prejudice to decide on a case.
Standard of Proof and Reasonable Doubt
When the state files a criminal case, they have the burden of proof. That means that they must present enough evidence to prove their claims. Should the state not provide enough evidence to make sure beyond a reasonable doubt, you have the duty to rule "not guilty".
Silent Juror
Juries are not to ask questions or make comments unless speaking to the judge directly once acknowledge. If a case is not over after one session, all members are the jury are to not speak about the case with anyone.
Witnesses
All witnesses are required to tell the truth and everything they say should be assumed as the truth unless given orders by the judge to disregard specific testimonies.
Note-Taking and Reading Back of Testimony
Your notes are for your own individual use to help you remember what happened during the trial. Please keep in mind that your notes may be inaccurate or incomplete. If there is a disagreement about the testimony at trial, you may ask that the court reporter’s record be read to you. It is the record that must guide your deliberations, not your notes. You must accept the court reporter’s record as accurate. Do not ask the court reporter questions during the readback and do not discuss the case in the presence of the court reporter.
Evidence
“Evidence” is the sworn testimony of witnesses, the exhibits admitted into evidence, and anything else that the judge told you to consider as evidence. What is said by the attorneys is only to guide your thinking and the witness's testimony.