What Does ‘Sealed Verdict’ Mean?

In legal terms, a sealed verdict is the decision made by a jury during a criminal trial that remains confidential until it is publicly disclosed. The term originated in the mid-19th century when jurors would affix their personal seals to their written findings and not release them until the judge ratified them. Judges continue to order juries to not make their decisions public until the verdict is read and accepted in open court.

The purpose of a sealed verdict is to ensure that the jurors’ decision is final and free of outside influence. It also prevents the public from being influenced by the jury’s deliberations before the verdict is officially announced. In some high-profile cases, a sealed verdict may also protect jurors from being harassed or intimidated by the media or public.

Modern Examples

The most recent example of a sealed verdict was in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. In April 2021, after 11 hours of deliberations, the jury returned a sealed verdict. Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over the case, immediately ordered the sealed verdict to be kept secret until it could be read in open court. On April 20, 2021, at 3:00 pm, the jury’s decision was finally revealed in court and Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

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In another high-profile case, the jury in New York’s Harvey Weinstein trial reached a sealed verdict of guilty on two of the five counts they had been tasked with determining. The jury voted unanimously in favor of guilty on the first and third counts, predatory sexual assault and criminal sexual act in the first degree, respectively. The jury then deliberated on the other three counts until their decision was made secret.

Related Legal Concepts

Understanding sealed verdicts connects closely with other jury decision-making processes in the legal system. A sealed verdict differs from a directed verdict, where the judge determines the outcome, and from special verdicts that require specific factual findings. The concept also relates to partial verdicts when juries reach decisions on some but not all charges, and to the broader understanding of what constitutes a valid verdict in criminal proceedings.

The Bottom Line

A sealed verdict serves as an important procedural safeguard that protects the integrity of jury deliberations and prevents outside interference before the official announcement. This mechanism ensures that the jury’s decision remains confidential and final until formally presented in open court. For guidance specific to your situation, always consult a qualified, licensed attorney.