Legal Question in Criminal Law in District of Columbia

Verdict and Sentancing Information

Hi:

This may be off-topic, but I recently served on a Jury in the DC Superior Court. One of the unsatisfying aspect of serving on the jury is that you don't get to ''see the rest of the movie'', that is, what happens after we leave. How can I find out what the sentences were, and is it possible for me to access the transcripts now that the case is over?

Thanks,

Dan


Asked on 11/10/03, 5:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Tony Booker Law Offices of Tony L.. Booker

Re: Verdict and Sentancing Information

I understand your frustration Dan. I believe that decisions of the jury would be changed if sentencing was known. This is part of the reason some jurisdictions don't involve juries in sentencing. In some jurisdictions, juries also determine or are aware of the potential sentence. In DC, sentencing is the exclusive province of the Judge. This premise is pronounced in your jury instructions.

Sentencing normally happens a couple of months after a jury verdict. A judge normally looks at a PSI(Pre-Sentence Investigaion) report before handing down a sentence. You can find out the sentence by either attending the sentencing hearing or checking out the file in the court clerk's office. You are also able to access court transcripts for a fee.

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Answered on 11/10/03, 7:35 pm


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