Yesterday, I was reminded of how the jury is always watching. I spoke with our office manager who had just completed her jury service on a civil case, related to a car accident. During deliberations, jurors commented on how they had seen the plaintiff (the one asking for money) outside the courtroom during breaks, and that she did not seem to have difficulty walking around. In the courtroom, however, the plaintiff hobbled up to the jury box before her testimony. Their conclusion was that the lady was faking it to some extent, because she over-exaggerated her injury when she knew the jury was watching.
We practice criminal law in Douglas, Weld and Larimer County with cases like Unlawful Sexual Contact, Theft and Assault. The lessons I’ve learned are similar to what our office manager saw. I still remember how I was defending my client in a jury trial against allegations of Unlawful Sexual Contact by two women in Arapahoe County. At trial, I asked my client’s wife to be sure and sit in the front row of the audience behind us. During breaks my client hugged his wife. She was obviously there in support of him.
We received a “not guilty” jury verdict. I spoke with jurors afterward, and still remember an older woman coming up to me and saying, “I knew your client did not do it, he has such a pretty wife.” The point was that if he had a beautiful wife at home, it was less likely he would sexually touch two coworker women who were not very attractive.
I mention these two examples to illustrate what I tell my clients before any jury trial in Denver, Jefferson and Adams County: “the jury is always watching you.” I tell clients that when they are near the courthouse, be careful how they drive, park their car at the courthouse, show body language when going through security, act on the elevator, and behave outside the courtroom. Jurors don’t have a sign identifying themselves. On breaks and before the trial they look like normal people. And, they are making observations.
You never want to offend or give a bad impression to the decision maker in your case – the jury. They will remember you if you are rude to a security officer, if you yell at your wife in the parking lot, and even how you walk outside the courtroom.
The jury in your criminal case is always watching you, so be careful. If you are charged with a crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.