Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 16. TRIAL

Part 5. Conduct of Jury

Conduct Of Jury During Trial

46-16-501. Conduct of jury during trial. (1) The jurors sworn to try an action may at any time, in the discretion of the court, be permitted to separate or be ordered to remain sequestered in the charge of a proper officer. If sequestered, the officer must be sworn to keep the jurors together, to allow no person to communicate with the jury or to personally communicate with the jury on any subject connected with the trial, and to return the jury into court as directed.

(2) Whether permitted to separate or sequestered, at each adjournment of the court, the jurors must be admonished that it is their duty not to converse among themselves or with anyone else on any subject connected with the trial or to form or express any opinion on the trial until the cause is finally submitted to them.

(3) In all cases appealed to the supreme court, it must be conclusively considered that the court or judge gave the proper admonition in accordance with the provision of subsection (2) unless the record affirmatively shows the contrary.

History: En. 95-1904, 95-1913 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 95-1904(part), 95-1913(a), (e); amd. Sec. 205, Ch. 800, L. 1991.