When the jury, or three-fourths of them, have agreed upon a verdict, they must be conducted into court and the verdict rendered by their foreperson. The verdict must be in writing, signed by the foreperson, and must be read to the jury by the clerk, and the inquiry made whether it is their verdict. Either party may require the jury to be polled, which is done by the court or clerk, asking each juror if it is the juror's verdict. If upon inquiry or polling, more than one-fourth of the jurors disagree thereto, the jury must be sent out again, but if no disagreement is expressed, the verdict is complete and the jury discharged from the case.
§ 618.Verdict
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4. Trial by Jury · Article 2. Conduct of the Trial · Last amended 2008 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 618 requires a jury verdict reached by at least three-fourths of the jurors to be rendered in writing by the foreperson, read aloud by the clerk, and confirmed by inquiry or polling of each juror on request, sending the jury back out if more than one-fourth disagree and otherwise discharging them once the verdict is confirmed.
Full Text of § 618
Plain-English Summary
This section governs how a verdict gets delivered in court. When the jury, or at least three-fourths of them, agree, they're brought into court and the verdict is rendered by the foreperson. It must be in writing, signed by the foreperson, and read aloud by the clerk, followed by an inquiry whether it's really the jury's verdict.
Either party can insist on more than that general inquiry by requesting the jury be polled — the court or clerk asks each juror individually whether it's that juror's verdict. If more than one-fourth of the jurors disagree, whether on the general inquiry or the individual poll, the jury has to go back out to continue deliberating.
If no disagreement surfaces, the verdict is complete, and the jury is discharged from the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many jurors must agree for a verdict?
At least three-fourths.
Who delivers the verdict in court?
The jury's foreperson, in writing, signed and then read aloud by the clerk.
Can a party demand each juror be asked individually about the verdict?
Yes, either party may require the jury to be polled, with the court or clerk asking each juror if it's that juror's verdict.
What happens if too many jurors disagree during polling?
If more than one-fourth disagree, the jury must be sent back out to continue deliberating rather than being discharged.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2007 ch 263 (AB 310),s 7, eff. 1/1/2008.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: jury polling californiaverdict foreperson requirements