A decision of this sort should be automatic grounds for reversal.

Because of this disposition, we need not address appellants' alternative grounds for reversal.

Under California Superior Court rules, any attempt on a bailiff's part to influence a verdict is "serious misconduct" that can be grounds for reversal.

But Professor Gershman said, "If you can show the lead detective perjured himself in the case, that is grounds for reversal in two seconds."

Because this decision alone was grounds for reversal of the California Supreme Court decision, the Court saw no need to address the second and third contentions.

In some cases, denial of a continuance may infringe on such rights and amount to a violation of due process-which could result in dismissal of an indictment, or provide grounds for reversal.

"I firmly believe the failure to turn over these forms in itself is a grounds for reversal of convictions," said Robert M. Baum, chief of the criminal division of the Legal Aid Society.

Possible grounds for reversal, Mr. Burdick said, could include the prosecution's introduction of evidence that might have played on the jury's emotions, like a dramatic 911 call by Mr. Amedure's distraught roommate, Gary Brady, after the shooting.