SF5138

Purpose

This bill aims to deter and punish attempts to bribe or otherwise influence jurors. It creates a new offense and sets criminal penalties for offering or receiving benefits intended to sway a juror’s vote or position on a matter before a court in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Creates new legal provisions under Minnesota law: Section 609.421 Bribery of a Juror.
• Offense for offering bribery (Subdivision 1): Anyone who offers, gives, or promises to give directly or indirectly to a juror any benefit, reward, or consideration with the intent to influence the juror’s vote or position on a matter before the juror is guilty of a felony.
• Offense for receiving bribery (Subdivision 2): A juror who is summoned to a court in Minnesota, whether impaneled or not, who requests, receives, or agrees to receive any benefit, reward, or consideration with the understanding that this will influence the juror’s vote or position is guilty of a felony.
• Penalties (Subdivision 3): A person who violates these provisions may be punished by imprisonment for up to 10 years, or a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
• Scope: Applies to any court in Minnesota and covers both direct and indirect offers or requests related to influencing a juror’s decision.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new offense titled Bribery of a Juror (Section 609.421) to codify criminal penalties for bribing or corruptly influencing a juror.
• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.425 as part of the legislative change, and establishes new penalties and the related jurisdictional scope for jury-related bribery in Minnesota.

What this bill seeks to accomplish

• Deter bribery attempts and corrupt influence involving jurors.
• Provide clear felony-level penalties for both those who offer or give bribes to jurors and for jurors who accept or solicit bribes.
• Clarify that the prohibition covers actions involving any court in Minnesota and both impaneled and non-impaneled jurors.

Relevant Terms - Bribery of a juror - Offer, give, or promise - Directly or indirectly - Benefit, reward, or consideration - Intent to influence - Juror - Vote or position - Matter before the juror - Impaneled - Receiving bribery - Request, receives, or agrees to receive - Felony - Imprisonment up to 10 years - Fine up to $20,000 - Minnesota Statutes 609.421 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.425 - Section 609.421 Subdivisions 1-3