R v Jason Smith

R v Jason Smith

The admitted actions of a juror in conducting and sharing extraneous research during deliberations constituted a significant jury irregularity that undermined the fairness of the trial and the safety of the applicant's convictions. The possibility that the jury, or at least some jurors, were improperly influenced by material not tested in court rendered the convictions unsafe, necessitating that they be quashed and a retrial ordered.

Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Applicant: Jason Smith
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Conviction and Sentence, With Order for Retrial
Outcome
appeal allowed, convictions quashed, retrial ordered, bail refused
Legal Topics
Jury Irregularity, Extraneous Material, Unsafe Conviction, Retrial, Jury Research, Contempt of Court Act
Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Jury Irregularity Extraneous Material Unsafe Conviction Retrial Jury Research Contempt of Court Act

Case Brief

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Jason Smith

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Conviction and Sentence, With Order for Retrial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the applicant's convictions are unsafe due to a juror conducting and sharing extraneous research during deliberations
  2. 2 Whether the procedural irregularity undermined the fairness of the trial and the safety of the verdicts
  3. 3 Whether a retrial should be ordered

Ratio Decidendi

The admitted actions of a juror in conducting and sharing extraneous research during deliberations constituted a significant jury irregularity that undermined the fairness of the trial and the safety of the applicant's convictions. The possibility that the jury, or at least some jurors, were improperly influenced by material not tested in court rendered the convictions unsafe, necessitating that they be quashed and a retrial ordered.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed, convictions quashed, retrial ordered, bail refused

Orders

  • Leave to appeal against conviction granted
  • Convictions quashed