Court Reporter Practice Exam

What does it mean to sequester a jury?

1. To let them deliberate freely

2. To isolate them from the public

3. To allow public observers

4. To provide them with outside information

The correct answer is: To isolate them from the public

To sequester a jury means to isolate them from the public during a trial, preventing them from being exposed to outside influences that may affect their impartiality and decision-making. This is often done in high-profile cases where media coverage might sway jurors, or in situations where there’s a concern about jurors being approached or influenced by outside parties. By keeping jurors separate from the outside world, the court aims to ensure that their verdict is based solely on the evidence presented during the trial, contributing to the integrity of the judicial process. The other options suggest allowing interaction or exposure to influences that could undermine the jurors’ objectivity, which is contrary to the purpose of sequestration. Deliberating freely or allowing public observers introduces the risk of external pressure, while providing outside information would compromise the jurors' ability to make a fair and informed decision based solely on the trial proceedings.