The Larrison Rule is a legal principle that permits a defendant to seek a fresh trial if they have recently obtained evidence indicating that a government witness provided false testimony. In order for a new trial to be granted, three requirements must be satisfied: (a) the court must have reasonable certainty that the witness indeed gave false testimony, (b) the jury’s verdict may have been different had the false testimony not been presented, and (c) the defendant was taken by surprise by the false testimony and could not have known of its falsity during the original trial. The Larrison Rule derives its name from a case in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Larrison rule is a legal principle in criminal law that permits a defendant to request a fresh trial on the grounds of newly discovered evidence indicating false testimony by a government witness. This rule derives its name from the case Larrison v. United States, which established three prerequisites that must be fulfiled before a new trial can be granted: Firstly, the court must reasonably believe that the testimony provided by a significant witness was untrue. Secondly, it must be evident that, without the false testimony, the jury may have arrived at a different verdict. Lastly, the party seeking the new trial must have been caught off guard by the false testimony and unable to counter it due to their lack of knowledge regarding its falseness until after the trial. For instance, if a witness initially testified in a trial that the defendant was present at the crime scene but later retracted their statement, admitting their mistake, the defendant may be eligible for a new trial under the Larrison rule if they can substantiate that the false testimony unjustly influenced the jury’s decision. The purpose of the Larrison rule is to guarantee that defendants receive a fair trial and are not wrongfully convicted based on deceitful or inaccurate testimony. It serves as a crucial safeguard for defendants within the criminal justice system.
The Larrison Rule is a legal principle that states that a court cannot consider evidence of jury misconduct or extraneous influences on the jury’s decision-making process to impeach a verdict.
The Larrison Rule was established in 1939 by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Larrison v. United States.
The purpose of the Larrison Rule is to maintain the finality and integrity of jury verdicts by preventing the introduction of evidence that could potentially undermine the jury’s decision.
No, the Larrison Rule cannot be waived by the parties involved. It is a mandatory rule that applies to all cases.
Yes, there are a few exceptions to the Larrison Rule. For example, if the jury was exposed to external influences that were so prejudicial that they deprived the defendant of a fair trial, the court may consider such evidence.
Yes, the Larrison Rule can be applied in both criminal and civil cases. It applies to any case where a jury is involved in rendering a verdict.
No, a defendant cannot challenge a verdict solely based on the Larrison Rule. The rule prevents the introduction of evidence to impeach a verdict, so it cannot be used as a standalone ground for challenging a verdict.
Yes, the Larrison Rule can be overturned or modified by a higher court. However, any changes to the rule would need to be made by a higher court through a new legal precedent.
Yes, the Larrison Rule applies to all types of jury misconduct or extraneous influences on the jury’s decision-making process. It aims to prevent the introduction of such evidence to challenge a verdict.
Yes, there are alternative legal principles that may be applicable in certain cases, such as the “extrinsic evidence” rule. This rule allows the introduction of evidence to challenge a verdict if it can be shown that the jury was exposed to external influences that affected their decision. However, the Larrison Rule remains the primary principle in most cases.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 16th April 2024.
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