Conviction Reversed Where Judge Failed to Grant New Trial Motion When Juror Had Failed to Disclose Pending Felony Charges

A juror remained silent when voir dire questions were posed about having been charged with a crime.  When it was discovered that this juror had pending charges the defense moved for a new trial which the trial judge denied.  Appeals court reversed.

https://acis.alabama.gov/displaydocs.cfm?no=692999&event=4H50U23P3

Juror Jailed for 5 Days for Research During Trial

Here we go again!!!

 http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Woman-jailed-5-days-for-looking-up-legal-issues-during-jury-duty-336058611.html

Celebrities Called to Jury Duty Should Not Criticize "the Boredom"

It's happening again this week.  A prominent reporter on one of the financial cable news networks is on social media expounding on the boredom of waiting at the courthouse to be called for jury duty.  He is to be praised for doing his civic duty.  But jury duty is not intended to be entertainment.  Everyone knows there is a lot of waiting even if you are selected to serve on a jury.  So bring a good book and several newspapers (yes, Millenials, some people actually read newspapers ON PAPER)  You may find the experience quite enlightening.  It's only a few days out of your busy lives.  Indeed some people have had their lives interrupted while they serve on active duty in the military in places like Afghanistan so you have the privilege of serving on a jury.  End of sermon.                                

That Juror Failed to Disclose Being Facebook Friends With Victim's Sister Did Not Result in Mistrial

On the Jur-E Bulletin of the National Center for State Courts it was suggested that judges define for jurors during voir dire what the court means when it says "friend" during jury selection.  It has a different connotation today than even 10 years ago.  Here the juror was a realtor and had a thousand "friends" on Facebook for networking purposes. 

http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/09241502rp.pdf