What should a paralegal do if a juror asks him or her a question about the trial?

Question

Which
rules of ethics address this situation?

Answer 1

Even if the paralegal knows the answer to the question and thinks it would enhance the client's chances of winning the case if the juror understood the facts better, the paralegal should not answer the question. The paralegal should remind the juror that jurors are not permitted to discuss a case they are hearing with anyone. The paralegal should also inform the juror that as a paralegal, he or she has an ethical duty to abide by the professional rules of conduct governing the legal profession. One of these rules prohibits ex parte (private) communications with jurors about a case being tried. A paralegal must also inform the attorney that she is in trial with if this occurs.
These actions are consistent with NFPA's Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Section EC-1.2(a): "A paralegal shall not engage in any ex parte communications involving the courts or any other adjudicatory body in an attempt to exert undue influence or to obtain advantage or the benefit of only one party," and Section EC-1.5(f): "A paralegal shall not engage in any indiscreet communications concerning clients." These actions are also consistent with the NALA Code of Ethics, Canon 9: "A paralegal must do all other things incidental, necessary, or expedient for the attainment of the ethics and responsibilities as defined by statute or rule of court."