NY S06361

Amends Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 4106 to require courts to retain alternate jurors until after the final verdict is delivered, rather than discharging them after final submission of the case.

Alternate jurors must be separated from regular jurors for deliberations but cannot be discharged by either party until the verdict is delivered.

If a regular juror becomes unable to perform duties after final case submission and before verdict delivery, an alternate juror may replace that juror and the court must direct the jury to commence deliberations anew.

Alternate jurors continue to be selected using the same process, qualifications, and examination standards as regular jurors and are treated identically until the separation for deliberations.

The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.