Page:Revised Codes of the State of North Dakota 1895.pdf/1473

Before Judgment. § 8247. Court may reduce punishment. The court has the power in all cases of conviction, to reduce the extent or duration of the punishment imposed by a jury, if in its opinion, the conviction is proper, and the punishment imposed is greater than under the circumstances of the case ought to be inflicted.

§ 8248. Jury reconsider verdict. Acquittal. When there is a verdict of conviction in which it appears to the court that the jury have mistaken the law, the court may explain the reason for that opinion, and direct the jury to reconsider their verdict, and if, after the reconsideration, they return the same verdict, it must be entered. But when there is a verdict of acquittal, the court cannot require the jury to reconsider it.

§ 8249. Same. Informal verdict. If the jury render a verdict which is neither a general nor a special verdict, the court may, with proper instructions as to the law, direct them to reconsider it, and it cannot be recorded until it is rendered in some form from which it can be clearly understood what is the intent of the jury, whether to render a general verdict, or to find the facts specially, and to leave the judgment to the court.

§ 8250. Judgment if jury persist. Acquittal. If the jury persist in finding an informal verdict, from which, however, it can be clearly understood that their intention is to find in favor of the defendant upon the issue, it must be entered in the terms in which it is found, and the court must give judgment of acquittal. But no judgment of conviction can be given unless the jury expressly find against the defendant, upon the issue, or judgment is given against him on a special verdict.

§ 8251. Jury may be polled. Procedure. When a verdict is rendered, and before it is recorded, the jury may be polled on the requirement of either party, in which case they must be severally asked whether it is their verdict, and if anyone answers in the negative, the jury must be sent out for further deliberation.

§ 8252. Clerk to record verdict. Dissent. When the verdict is given, and is such as the court may receive, the clerk must immediately record it in full upon the minutes, and must read it to the jury and inquire of them whether it is their verdict. If any juror disagrees, the fact must be entered upon the minutes, and the jury again sent out; but if no disagreement is expressed, the verdict is complete, and the jury must be discharged from the case.

§ 8253. Judgment. Acquittal. Accused discharged. Exception. If the judgment of acquittal is given on a general verdict, and the defendant is not detained for any other legal cause, he must be discharged as soon as judgment is given, except that when the acquittal is for a variance between the proof and the information or indictment, which may be obviated by a new information or indictment, the court may order his detention to the end that a new information or indictment may be preferred in the same manner and with like effect as provided in section 8097 and the sections of this code therein referred to.

§ 8254. Verdict. Guilty. Procedure. If a general verdict is rendered against the defendant, or a special verdict is given, he must be remanded, if in custody; or if on bail, he may be committed to the proper officer of the county, to await the judgment of the court upon the verdict. When committed, his bail is exonerated, or if

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