Possibly, but juror names, addresses, and telephone numbers in the court record are sealed after a qualifying criminal jury verdict. A defendant or counsel seeking that information must petition the court under Code of Civil Procedure section 237 with a declaration showing good cause. A petition is not an automatic right to receive juror contacts: the court screens the showing and must set a hearing if the petition establishes a prima facie good-cause case with no compelling interest against disclosure shown on the record. A juror’s protest or other statutory ground may still prevent or limit release after that hearing. (Code Civ. Proc. § 237)
Make a specific, lawful showing
A declaration should describe concrete facts supporting the request and why limited access is needed for a lawful purpose, such as evaluating a potential post-verdict issue. Dissatisfaction with the verdict alone does not establish that a juror did anything wrong. The court may find the initial showing insufficient, or find a compelling confidentiality interest that weighs against disclosure.
If the court sets a hearing, the petitioner must give the parties at least 20 days’ notice. The court notifies affected jurors; a juror may protest disclosure or contact. In a capital case, the statute also provides for notice to the Attorney General. After hearing, the court may restrict what information is released or impose nondisclosure conditions. The 20 days is notice before a set hearing, not a deadline for filing the petition after the verdict. (Code Civ. Proc. § 237)
The statute does not seal every juror-related record in the same way. It distinguishes the qualified-juror list from identifying information for trial jurors, and its post-verdict provisions apply to verdicts returned on or after January 1, 1996. Counsel should confirm what information is actually sought and whether it falls within the statute before filing.
Respect a juror’s choice to speak or not
Section 206 permits reasonable, consensual conversation with a discharged juror, but a juror has an absolute right to decline. A juror’s refusal can prevent release of identifying information even after a hearing. The statute does not authorize searching for a juror through private channels, pressuring a juror, or bypassing the court’s process. Before a consensual conversation more than 24 hours after the verdict, the person seeking to speak must tell the juror the case and party they represent, the subject of the interview, and the juror’s rights to decline and to review any court-filed declaration. (Code Civ. Proc. § 206)
Before counsel evaluates a petition, preserve the verdict and minutes, the specific facts prompting concern, any lawfully received communication, and the procedural calendar. Obtaining contact information only opens a limited inquiry; it does not prove misconduct or establish a basis for a new trial. The merits and deadlines for any separate post-verdict motion must be evaluated independently.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley represents people facing California criminal charges. Call (800) 755-5174 to discuss a post-verdict issue and the court process.