Harrington v. Decker

Supreme Court of Vermont April 6, 1976

Harrington v. Decker, 356 A.2d 511 (Vt. 1976)

134 Vt. 259; 1976 Vt. LEXIS 647

Barney, Smith, Daley, Larrow, Billings

Opinion

Per Curiam.

On May 23,1975, the deputy clerk of the Washington Superior Court gave notice that commencing on June 3, 1975, at 9:30 a.m., five juries would be drawn and impanelled, and in addition, it was noted that ten additional cases should be prepared to draw a jury on short notice. The plaintiff’s case was fifteenth. On June 2, 1975, plaintiff’s counsel was notified by the deputy clerk to be present the next day at 9:30 a.m. to proceed with the jury drawing. Counsel for the plaintiff notified her of the schedule change on the morning of the stated day. Plaintiff failed to appear at the Washington Superior Court until 11:00 a.m., which was subsequent to the drawing and impanelling of the jury. Neither the plaintiff nor her counsel indicated any displeasure or objection to the procedures used in drawing the jury or in the selection of the jury. After trial, a defendant’s verdict was returned, and from the resulting judgment, the plaintiff now appeals, raising for the first time her objection.to not being present when the jury was drawn.

*261 The right to trial by jury in civil cases is guaranteed by the Vermont Constitution, Chapter I, Article 12, and the United States Constitution, Seventh Amendment. Dempsey v. Hollis, 116 Vt. 316, 318, 75 A.2d 662 (1950). This right carries with it the privilege to be present at the selection of the jury. Although this Court does not approve of the non-consensual drawing of civil juries in the absence of the parties, the plaintiff’s right in the case at bar was not denied in view of the failure of the plaintiff to appear when properly notified or to show inability to be present, and the failure of the plaintiff to show any prejudice.

The burden is upon the plaintiff to produce a record of improper activity on the part of the trial court. No such record is here shown. Lafko v. Lafko, 127 Vt. 609, 256 A.2d 166 (1969). Further, a question not raised below is not for consideration here. A trial court may not be put in error on a point not made below. J. L. Bilodeau & Co., Inc. v. Reed, 119 Vt. 342, 126 A.2d 118 (1956).

Judgment affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name: Cathleen B. Harrington v. Mary A. B. Decker
Cited By: 8 cases
Status: Published
Syllabus: 1. Constitutional Law — Right to Jury Trial — Guarantees Encompassed Right to trial by jury in civil cases, guaranteed by state andPage 260 federal constitutions, carries with it the privilege to be present at the selection of the jury. Vt. Const. ch. I, art. 12. 2. Constitutional Law — Right to Jury Trial — Guarantees Encompassed Plaintiff's constitutional right to be present at selection of jury to try civil cause was not denied where she failed to appear at the selection in spite of proper notification, did not show inability to be present and did not show prejudice. Vt. Const. ch. I, art. 12. 3. Constitutional Law — Right to Jury Trial — Guarantees Encompassed Burden was on plaintiff objecting, on appeal, to her absence at time jury was drawn, to produce a record of improper activity on the part of the trial court. 4. Appeal and Error — Preservation of Questions — Failure to Present Below A trial court may not be put in error on appeal on a point not made below, and the point is not for consideration on appeal.