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It was later reduced to 4 cents, and later overturned.

All involved very split juries - so I think the low amount was kind of a compromise by the jury in each case.

Interesting to note the particular judge in that case:

> jurors sent a note to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon stating “we are deadlocked. We are unable to come to a unanimous decision.”

> Cannon encouraged them to continue deliberating.

In this case the judge does not seem relevant. The decision does need to be unanimous from the jury.

> The decision does need to be unanimous from the jury.

Not in civil trials.

Louisiana and Oregon didn't require unanimous juries in many criminal trials either until 2019 and 2020 respectively.

The judge is always relevant. The judge's decisions throughout the trial can greatly influence its outcome.