Section 16-29.Deadlocked Jury

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceIf the court believes the jury has been unable to agree, it may direct further deliberations and instruct the jury about disagreement under the law, but it cannot require or threaten unreasonably long deliberations.

Full Text of Section 16-29

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If it appears to the judicial authority that the jury has been unable to agree, it may require the jury to continue its deliberations. The judicial authority shall not require or threaten to require the jury to deliberate for an unreasonable length of time or for unreasonable intervals. It may also instruct the jury as to disagreements in accordance with the law. (See Sec. 865, P.B. 1978-1997.)

Amendment History

(P.B. 1998.)

Plain-English Summary

When it looks to the judge like the jury can’t reach agreement, the judicial authority may require the jury to keep deliberating. The court cannot require or threaten to require the jury to deliberate for an unreasonable length of time or at unreasonable intervals. The judge may also instruct the jury on disagreements in accordance with the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a Connecticut jury can’t reach a verdict?

If it appears the jury has been unable to agree, the judicial authority may require it to continue deliberating and may give instructions on disagreements in accordance with the law.

Can a judge force a jury to deliberate indefinitely?

No. The court may not require or threaten to require the jury to deliberate for an unreasonable length of time or at unreasonable intervals.

What is an “instruction on disagreement”?

The text allows the judicial authority to instruct the jury as to disagreements in accordance with the law, without spelling out the content of that instruction.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-29). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: deadlocked jury Connecticutjury can’t reach a verdict CThung jury civil case Connecticutforcing jury to keep deliberating