JURORS BEHAVING BADLY

A blog about the very small percentage of jurors who fail to follow the judge's instructions, including doing independent Internet research, using social media (such as Facebook) to contact parties and lawyers, and blogging about the trial. Juror misconduct frequently results in mistrials and a waste of resources. Links will be provided to sample jury summonses, jury instructions, and other resources to improve juror education and minimize juror misconduct, thereby promoting fairness of trials.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Wrongful Death Case With Facebooking Jury Foreman Heads to Missouri Appellate Court

The trial judge denied plaintiffs' motions for new trial, finding the foreman did not discuss the facts or the deliberation decision-making process. This "no harm, no foul" analysis has been followed by other courts.
Link: http://www.news-leader.com/article/20130210/NEWS01/302100081/Jury-foreman-Facebook-posts-wrongful-death-case?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1

Friday, February 8, 2013

Tenn. Grand Juror Discovered to Be Convicted Felon

Ninety indictments must be resubmiited to a grand jury after it was discovered that the foreman was a convicted felon. The grand jury had issued indictments in 800 cases in a 3-month period. Here is the link:

http://www.kltv.com/story/20924438/nashville-da-says-grand-jury-foreman-was-felon