CHAPTER 299

H.P. 854 - L.D. 1155

An Act To Include Alternates as Regular Jurors

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1204, as amended by PL 1977, c. 102, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§1204.__Civil juries

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 of the jurors participating in the verdict and no verdict may be taken from a jury reduced to fewer than 7 members.

2.__Procedures.__At the commencement of each term,__the clerk shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of those appearing for duty as traverse jurors.__Before each trial, after the court has ruled on challenges for cause, the clerk shall randomly draw by lot from the names of all eligible jurors a sufficient number to comprise the jury panel plus enough to account for peremptory challenges.__Peremptory challenges may then be exercised in accordance with court rules.__When the panel is complete, the court shall appoint a foreperson to oversee deliberations and to speak for the jury.

Sec. 2. 14 MRSA §1207 is repealed.