Is a jury's "only statutory task" to advise the court that the jury has agreed upon their verdict?

California, United States of America

The following excerpt is from People v. Cabrera, F064340 (Cal. App. 2014):

Defendant argues that the court's comment was wrong as a matter of law because a foreperson's "only statutory task" is to advise the court or clerk whether the jurors have agreed upon their verdict. (See 1149.) That may be the foreperson's only statutory task. (See People v. Perez (1989) 212 Cal.App.3d 395, 402). However, the foreperson's special role in facilitating deliberations, even if nonstatutory, has long been recognized. (See People v. Ledesma (2006) 39 Cal.4th 641, 730; see also CALCRIM 3550 ["The foreperson should see to it that your discussions are carried on in an organized way and that everyone has a fair chance to be heard"].)

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