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| Credits: Thank You |
| Guide Contents |
| Verdict & Sentencing ~ Page 2 |
| Verdict And Sentencing |
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| Rendering A Verdict: After all the evidence has been presented, the prosecution and the defense will present closing arguments in a final attempt to convince the jury that the defendant should be found guilty or not guilty. The judge will then instruct the jury on the principles of the law which must be used in their deliberations (commonly referred to as charging the jury), and remind them of their responsibilities in rendering a verdict. When he has finished his explanation of the law, the jury will leave the courtroom and begin sifting through the evidence pre- sented during the trial and, based upon the laws of the Commonwealth, decide whether to convict or acquit the defendant. A verdict can only be reached through the unanimous agreement of the jurors. Following is a list of possible verdicts by the jury: |
| * Guilty * Guilty of Some, But Not all of the Charges * Hung jury (see glossary for definition) * Mistrial (see glossary for definition) * Not Guilty (does not necessarily mean innocent) * Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (The issues involved in reaching this kind of verdict are varied and complex. If it seems likely that the jury will render such a decision, the prosecutor will explain to you in more detail the possible reasons for such a probability.) When a verdict has been reached, all those involved in the trial will reconvene in the courtroom for the reading of the verdict. |
| Victim Impact Statements: If the defendant is found guilty, you will be allowed to address the court through a victim impact statement presented to the judge before he imposes sentencing. (Impact statements are only made following a conviction by the jury, and are presented after all jurors have left the courtroom.) It is important for the judge to understand your feelings and the impact the murder has had on you and your family prior to the sentencing of the offender. |
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