I read an interesting article recently in the Tampa Tribune on the effect of instant access to information on jurors.  With news, archives, social media, arrest reports and a wealth of other information at the fingertips of anyone with a smartphone, controlling the temptation for some jurors is difficult – even though it is against the rules of course.

That is why, last week, the Florida Supreme Court handed down revised jury instructions that proclaim jurors should not do their own research — and what might happen if they do. The ban on use of the Internet and electronic devises is imposed “because jurors must decide the case without distraction and only on the evidence presented in the courtroom,” the high court states.

The updated instructions state – “These rules are designed to guarantee a fair trial.”  A juror’s failure to follow the rules can result in a mistrial, the justices said, and a trial judge can penalize a juror who violates the no-electronics rule.

While it’s easier to control what jurors are doing while in the courthouse, once they leave, there is no way to prevent them from researching on the internet and even posting on social media, but hopefully with consequences, jurors will think twice now.

You can read the full article here: http://tbo.com/news/crime/jury-rules-fragile-in-digital-era-20141206/