Abstract
The Fourth Circuit allows jurors to bring Bibles into the jury room and reference them during deliberations. A seemingly innocent action actually denies the accused his right to a fair and impartial jury. When jurors put too much weight on the Bible’s passages about judgment, jurors risk overlooking the evidence and instead making decisions based on isolated verses. By generally allowing a Bible in the deliberation room, the Fourth Circuit opens the door to other religious texts coming into deliberations. Further, the Fourth Circuit blurs the line demarcating external and internal influences, risking the introduction of other external influences that some judges may perceive to be intrinsic. The Fourth Circuit should prohibit religious texts in the jury room.
Recommended Citation
Sarah E. Summa, Divine Intervention or Unfair Influence? A Closer Look at Bibles in the Jury Room, 46 Campbell L. Rev. 119 (2023).