Question: What does it mean to “poll” a jury?
Answer: After a verdict is returned, either party may request the judge ask each juror to confirm their verdict.
Pursuant to Indiana law, after the jury has agreed upon a verdict, the verdict must be reduced to writing and signed by the foreperson. When returned into court, the foreperson delivers the verdict, and either party may poll the jury. If a juror dissents from the verdict, the jury shall again be sent out to deliberate.
However, the verdict does not include statements made during polling of the jury. Also, polling does not properly include statements made by jurors explaining their verdict. The purpose of polling is to assure that each of the jurors accepts the verdict as their own and to provide for further jury deliberation where polling reveals a juror dissents from the verdict. It is also important to note, that juror affidavits may not be used later to impeach the verdict.