78. sequester

What is Sequester?

In legal terms, sequester refers to the act of isolating a jury or witnesses to prevent outside influence during a trial. This is commonly done in high-profile cases to ensure an impartial decision by keeping jurors away from media coverage, public opinion, or outside discussions.

Sequestration can also apply in financial or property disputes, where assets are temporarily taken into custody by the court until a legal matter is resolved.

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Key Features of Sequester in Legal Context

✔ Used to protect jurors from media, public pressure, and undue influence ✔ Can apply to witnesses to prevent them from hearing testimony before they testify ✔ In civil cases, sequestration can refer to freezing or holding assets until a dispute is settled ✔ Often seen in high-profile criminal cases or politically sensitive trials

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Examples of Sequester in Action

• A jury in a murder trial is sequestered in a hotel to prevent exposure to media reports.

• A key witness in a fraud case is sequestered to ensure their testimony is not influenced by other witnesses.

• A court orders sequestration of a company’s assets while a lawsuit over ownership is being resolved.

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5 Reference Pages for Sequester with URLs

1. Legal Information Institute – Jury Sequestration

   • URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/sequestration

   • Explanation: Defines jury sequestration, its purpose, and legal implications.

2. FindLaw – What is Jury Sequestration?

   • URL: https://www.findlaw.com/litigation/going-to-court/what-is-jury-sequestration.html

   • Explanation: Discusses how and why courts sequester jurors, along with notable case examples.

3. Justia – Sequestration of Witnesses

   • URL: https://www.justia.com/criminal/procedure/sequestration-of-witnesses/

   • Explanation: Explains witness sequestration and how it prevents witnesses from influencing each other’s testimony.

4. US Courts – Federal Rules of Evidence (Rule 615 – Witness Sequestration)

   • URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_615

   • Explanation: Covers the legal basis for ordering sequestration of witnesses in U.S. courts.

5. Wikipedia – Jury Sequestration

   • URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_sequestration

   • Explanation: Provides an overview of jury sequestration, historical examples, and its effects on trial outcomes.

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