What was the shortest jury deliberation?

Asked by: Jessika Morissette  |  Last update: February 17, 2026
Score: 5/5 (73 votes)

The shortest jury deliberation on record, according to Guinness World Records, was just one minute in New Zealand in 2004, where a jury acquitted a man accused of growing cannabis plants, returning after 60 seconds. While records vary, some sources note exceptionally quick deliberations, such as a six-minute verdict in a Connecticut murder trial in 2010, showing how rapidly juries can sometimes decide, especially in clear-cut cases.

What is the shortest jury deliberation?

The fastest jury verdict on record lasted just 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲. In 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟰, Nicholas Clive McAllister of New Zealand was acquitted of cultivating cannabis plants after a jury deliberated for only 𝟲𝟬 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀—barely enough time to take their seats.

What is the minimum time for a jury deliberation?

That means that with a full jury of 12 people, all 12 must agree on the verdict – whether that verdict is guilty or not guilty. If a jury is really struggling and a certain period of time has passed (usually at least 2 hours but sometimes much longer in a lengthy case), then a 'majority verdict' can be accepted.

What is the longest jury deliberation in history?

Did you know the longest jury deliberation in U.S. history lasted 167 days? 😲 In 2003, jurors in a California insurance fraud case spent over five months weighing the evidence before reaching a verdict.

How long do most jury deliberations last?

Depending on the case, jury deliberation can last just a few minutes to a few days or weeks.

Jury Duty - the deliberations and verdict

19 related questions found

Has a judge ever overrule a jury verdict?

Yes, judges can and do overturn jury verdicts, though it's rare, usually when there's insufficient evidence for the verdict, the verdict is against the weight of the evidence (showing passion or prejudice), or due to significant legal errors during the trial, allowing for motions like Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV) or ordering a new trial, especially in criminal cases where a conviction might be overturned but not an acquittal. 

Can a jury go home during deliberations?

Usually jurors go home at the end of each day and return the next morning. However, in extremely rare cases, a jury will be "sequestered" during the trial or during the jury deliberations.

What if all 12 jurors don't agree?

If the jury cannot agree on a verdict on one or more counts, the court may declare a mistrial on those counts. A hung jury does not imply either the defendant's guilt or innocence. The government may retry any defendant on any count on which the jury could not agree."

What is the most famous trial in US history?

3 of the Most Famous Trials in US History

  • O.J. Simpson Murder Trial. ...
  • Sam Sheppard Murder Trial. On the morning of July 4, 1954, Marilyn Sheppard was found on the floor of her bedroom brutally murdered. ...
  • Attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan.

Do jurors deliberate all night?

Each day, the jurors will start their deliberations and continue deliberating throughout the day. At night, they will then retire and resume the next day if they have not reached a verdict. In reality, the jury has to go back and decide who is responsible for what happened to you.

What happens if I fall asleep during jury duty?

If you fall asleep during jury duty, the judge can have you woken up, repeated information, or even dismiss you and replace you with an alternate juror, potentially leading to a mistrial or new trial if you missed crucial evidence, though a short nap might just result in being gently roused, while repeated offenses or missing significant testimony can lead to being removed or even facing contempt of court. 

Does a short jury deliberation mean?

Juries don't take serious charges lightly, but a quick unanimous decision often means the evidence was clear. However, achieving this clarity doesn't happen by chance. It requires hard work and in-depth research on evidentiary issues to ensure prejudicial evidence is kept out of the courtroom.

How many people get called for jury duty?

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) estimates that in a given year, 32 million people get summoned for service — though only 8 million of them actually report for jury duty (there are lots of reasons for that difference, including the 4 million summonses returned by the post office marked as undeliverable and ...

Can jurors talk to each other before deliberation?

To ensure fairness, you must obey the following rules: 1. Do not talk to each other about this case, or about anyone involved with this case, until the end of the trial when you go to the jury room to decide on your verdict.

How long will each trial last?

It is impossible to say with 100% certainty how long a criminal trial will last. It could take one day for the jury to reach a verdict, several months, or even multiple years. On average, 83% of felony cases are resolved within 365 days and 77% of misdemeanor cases are resolved within 180 days.

How long did it take the jury to reach a verdict for OJ?

After deliberating for less than four hours, the jury announced that it has reached a verdict. The quick verdict surprised many legal analysts, who had predicted it would take anywhere from two days to two months.

What was the worst court case in history?

The Supreme Court's WORST Ever Case: Dred Scott v Sandford - American History Hit | Acast.

What is the most watched court trial?

O.J.

Simpson murder trial gripped the nation in 1995, with 150 million people tuning in to watch the drama unfold on TV.

What is the most famous case ever?

There's no single "most famous case," but contenders include the O.J. Simpson Trial (U.S. pop culture phenomenon), the Nuremberg Trials (war crimes, global impact), the Adolf Eichmann Trial (Holocaust justice), Lizzie Borden (enduring nursery rhyme mystery), and historical events like the Osage Murders Investigation (early FBI work) or the Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping ("crime of the century"). Famous cases often involve high-profile figures, unsolved mysteries, immense public interest, or significant historical/legal impact, making them iconic. 

Has a judge ever overturned a jury verdict?

Yes, judges can and do overturn jury verdicts, though it's rare, usually when there's insufficient evidence for the verdict, the verdict is against the weight of the evidence (showing passion or prejudice), or due to significant legal errors during the trial, allowing for motions like Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV) or ordering a new trial, especially in criminal cases where a conviction might be overturned but not an acquittal. 

Why does juror 3 vote not guilty?

Juror 3 had apparently been harboring some negative feelings about his son's generation. Juror 3 changed his vote after realizing that all of his anger toward the defendant was a direct result of his bad relationship with his son.

What happens if a jury is hung three times?

In other words, just because there is a hung jury doesn't mean the case goes away. I've seen a case tried three times before there was finally a verdict on the case. So, the prosecutors can choose whether they want to re-try it, but then the judge can still dismiss the case.

Do you have to stay in a hotel during jury duty?

If you are selected as a juror, you will be authorized to stay in a hotel or with family and/or friends during the duration of the trial. We encourage you to bring enough clothing for the week in case you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial.

What are two things jurors should never do?

Jurors should never discuss the case with anyone outside the jury (including family/friends) or conduct their own investigation, like visiting the scene or looking up info online, as the verdict must be based solely on courtroom evidence; these actions risk introducing bias and jeopardizing the trial's fairness. Another critical "never" is to decide by chance, such as by flipping coins, which makes a verdict illegal.
 

What happens if a juror dies during deliberation?

If at any time prior to a verdict being rendered, any juror dies, becomes incapacitated or disqualified, or is discharged for any other reason, an alternate juror becomes a juror, in the order in which selected, and serves in all respects as those selected on the regular trial panel.