MichiganJury Nullification
In Michigan the model instruction tells jurors they must take the law as the judge gives it, and that deciding the facts is their job and no one else's. A court rule sets a jury of twelve, or fewer if the parties agree. The instructions say a criminal verdict must be unanimous. The state constitution gives the accused an impartial jury.
Overview
Juries in Michigan
Michigan's model instruction on the court and the jury says it in two short lines. You must take the law as I give it to you. Deciding what the facts are is your job, and no one else's. The instructions on deliberating add that a verdict must be unanimous.
A Michigan statute goes a step further on what a judge may do. It lets the judge comment on the evidence and on the witnesses when the interest of justice requires it. What that means for a jury is in the Michigan chapter of the guide.
The Michigan constitution gives the accused an impartial jury and says a jury may be fewer than twelve in some misdemeanor cases. A court rule sets a jury of twelve unless the parties agree to fewer. What else the constitution says about verdicts is in the chapter.
The Michigan chapter
What's in the Guide for Michigan?
Jury selection
When in a Michigan trial jurors hear how the work is divided, and why a person questioned during jury selection has not heard it yet.
What the judge tells you
What the Michigan model instruction on the function of the court and the jury says, and what the statute says about a judge commenting on the evidence and the witnesses.
How the verdict works
What the deliberation instruction asks of each Michigan juror, what jurors take into the jury room, and what it means that a verdict must be each juror's own considered judgment.
Protections and risks
What Michigan law says about people who try to influence or threaten a juror, about getting back at a juror afterwards, and about jurors persuading each other during deliberations.
The law in plain English
The Michigan laws behind the chapter in everyday words. They include the statute on the judge's duty to instruct, the statute on instructions in insanity cases, the law on influencing and retaliating against jurors, and two sections of the state constitution.
Official state resources
Links to Michigan's official sources, each one checked. They cover the Compiled Laws and constitution on the Legislature's site, the Michigan Courts' rules and model criminal jury instructions, and the courts' page for jurors.
Your summons
Called for Jury Duty in Michigan?
A Michigan jury summons asks you to come to court and, if you are picked, to decide what the facts are. The judge gives you the law.
The Michigan Courts have a page for jurors. It covers reporting, who can serve, and how to ask to be excused.
That page covers serving. What the model instruction asks of you, how a verdict is reached in the jury room, and what Michigan law says about anyone who tries to influence a juror are covered in the Michigan chapter of the guide.
Your Michigan summons
- Sent byThe court for your county
- Names come fromLicensed drivers and state ID card holders
- It asks you toCome to court and, if you are picked, decide what the facts are
- Jury size12; fewer by stipulation of the parties