Section 370 — Crimes Act 1961: Jury retiring to consider verdict

370 Jury retiring to consider verdict (1) If the jury retire to consider their verdict they shall be kept under the charge of an officer of the Court in some private place provided with sufficient heating and lighting, and shall be allowed to have reasonable refreshment: Provided that for the purpose of having refreshment the jury may with the consent of the Court be taken under the charge of an officer of the Court or a constable to a place of public refreshment instead of remaining in a private place. (2) No person other than the officer of the Court who has charge of them shall be permitted to speak or communicate in any way with any of the jury without the leave of the Court. (3) Disobedience to the provisions of this section shall not affect the validity of the proceedings: Provided that, if such disobedience is discovered before the verdict of the jury is returned, the Court, if of opinion that such disobedience has produced substantial mischief, may discharge the jury and direct a new jury to be sworn or empanelled during the sitting of the Court, or postpone the trial on such terms as justice requires. Compare: 1908 No 32 s 427; 1950 No 83 s 3