New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Alex Jeanty, Appellant; the People of the State of New York…
April 4, 200094 N.Y.2d 507
Summary
The Court held that the 1996 amendment to CPL 270.35 creates a bright‑line two‑hour rule permitting a trial judge, after a reasonably thorough inquiry, to discharge and replace a juror who will not appear within two hours of the scheduled resumption of trial. The Court further held that applying this rule does not violate the New York State Constitution's guarantee of a trial by jury.