State v. Jorgensen

Carley, Judge.

Appellee was tried before a jury for the offense of D.U.I. During a lunch recess, appellee attempted to befriend a juror. The juror informed the trial court of appellee’s efforts. However, the trial court took no immediate action, proposing instead to address the matter only “after the [jury] deliberations [were] over. . . .” The trial court stated that its post-trial inquiry would “includ[e] the right to on [its] own motion declare a mistrial.” The jury returned a verdict finding appellee not guilty.

Thereafter, the trial court conducted a hearing on the issue of appellee’s…