Polling the Jury

A practice whereby the jurors are asked individually whether they assented, and still assent, to the verdict; it consists of calling the name of each juror and requiring a declaration of his or her verdict before it is recorded.

Polling can be accomplished by questioning the jurors individually or by ascertaining the fact of unanimous concurrence by general questions. Once concurrence has been determined, the polling concludes.

If unanimous concurrence, when required, does not exist upon the poll, the jury can be either discharged or ordered to resume further deliberation.