What kind of misconduct typically warrants an appeal in a criminal case?

In a criminal case, behavior that may have influenced the verdict can significantly impact the integrity of the trial process. If there is evidence of misconduct—such as juror bias, improper communication between jurors and outsiders, or any form of undue influence on the jury—it undermines the fairness of the trial and the defendant's right to a fair hearing. Such behavior can create a substantial risk that the verdict reached was not based solely on the evidence and arguments presented in court.

When an appeal is filed due to this type of misconduct, the appellate court will assess whether the misconduct had a reasonable probability of affecting the outcome of the trial. If it is determined that it did, the court may overturn the verdict and order a new trial. This is crucial because the appeal process is designed to protect the rights of the accused and ensure the rule of law is upheld in criminal proceedings.

The other options, while they may raise concerns in a trial, do not carry the same weight in terms of directly influencing the outcome of the verdict in a way that could justify an appeal. For instance, while improper jury instructions might mislead the jury, it isn't always directly linked to an actual influence on the final outcome unless proven to have a significant impact.