6.31 Post-Discharge Instruction

             Now that the case has been concluded, some of you may have questions about the confidentiality of the proceedings.  Now that the case is over, you are free to discuss it with any person you choose.  By the same token, however, I would advise you that you are under no obligation whatsoever to discuss this case with any person. 

            [If you do decide to discuss the case with anyone, I would suggest you treat it with a degree of solemnity in that whatever you do decide to say, you would be willing to say in the presence of the other jurors or under oath here in open court in the presence of all the parties.] 

            [Finally, always bear in mind that if you do decide to discuss this case, the other jurors fully and freely stated their opinions with the understanding they were being expressed in confidence.  Please respect the privacy of the views of the other jurors.]

            [Finally, if you would prefer not to discuss the case with anyone, but are feeling undue pressure to do so, please feel free to contact the courtroom deputy, who will notify me, and I will assist.]

Comment

            See Jury Instructions Committee of the Ninth Circuit, A Manual on Jury Trial Procedures,§ 6.1 (2013).

Revised Dec. 2019