Prospective Juror in Criminal Case Causes Mistrial

Judge acknowledges that prospective jurors should be instructed not to do Internet research once jury selection starts. Here it caused a mistrial..
Link
https://www.wacotrib.com/news/courts_and_trials/mclennan-county-justice-delayed-in-two-trials/article_003b49e4-93af-5fb9-a6af-389d5852db33.html

After Trial, Juror Sends Victim "Virtual Hugs"

The MN Court of Appeals upheld the trial judge's denial of a Schwartz (post-trial juror misconduct)hearing after it came to light that a juror, after the trial, apparently being enamored with the attractive victim of the crime, sent the victim a text message that he was sending her "virtual hugs".  The juror allegedly got the phone number of the victim off a piece of evidence.  In a word: creepy.

Thorough Inquiry of Jurors Often Nececssary If Outside Influences May Have Affected Deliberations

Here is a Minnesota case just issued dealing with an issue I have addressed before in this space:
http://mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/Appellate/Court%20of%20Appeals/Standard%20opinions/OPa171237-082018.pdf

100 Years Ago: The Jurors Drank the Evidence

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/may/22/100-years-ago-in-spokane-male-jurors-drink-evidenc/

ABA Article on Lawyers Searching Potential Jurors on Linked-In

Generally it is not unethical for lawyers to search for public information on jurors through Linked-In, but searching for private information or attempting to connect with a juror is unethical.  Lawyers should check their state's rules in this area as states differ on their rules.


https://abaforlawstudents.com/2018/05/01/is-it-ethical-for-lawyers-to-use-linkedin-to-research-jurors/

New Trial Granted Due to Racially-Biased Comments by One Juror in Minnesota Federal Trial

http://m.startribune.com/north-minneapolis-man-granted-new-trial-after-evidence-federal-juror-made-racial-remarks/481007841/?section=%2F

Deja Vu: Facebooking Jurors Cause a Reversal of a Murder Conviction

This time it's in Iowa.  A murder conviction was reversed by the appellate court due to prejudice to the defendant from contacts on Facebook some of the jurors had both before and during deliberations. Pre-deliberations one juror discovered that one of the defendant's relatives was her Facebook friend.  During deliberations a juror shared that on Facebook there were posts about rumors that there would be a riot or violence if the defendant was not found guilty of something.
LINK: https://cdn.radioiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Christensen-opinion-PDF.pdf

British Juror Gets Suspended Jail Sentence for Internet Research

Once again, a juror is sentenced to jail, though a suspended sentence, for violating the judge's instructions by doing Internet research.
Link:
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/16164599.Juror_avoids_jail_after_internet_research_of_case_forces_retrial/

Jurors Sometimes Violate Social Media Admonitions Because Judges' Instructions Confuse Them

https://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21740393-legalese-used-their-instructions-can-be-baffling-it-neednt-be-too-often-juries?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/toooftenjuriescomprise12confusedmenandwomenjohnson

Juror Playing Games on Phone During Deliberations Held in Contempt

Just like paying attention to the professor in class (and obeying the judge's instructions)  failing to engage in jury deliberations by playing games on one's phone can result in contempt of court.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-43490590

In Rare Cases Voir Dire May Be Closed to the Public

Here is a link to a recent trial in which, for the privacy concerns of potential jurors, voir dire (jury questioning) was closed to the public. The original conviction was reversed for juror misconduct.  The trial judge must make specific findings that closure is justified. 
https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/interviews-of-prospective-blagg-jurors-closed-to-public/article_94c11180-179e-11e8-96c9-10604b9f1ff4.html

Trial Court Needs to Investigate Colorable Claim of Extraneous Influence on a Juror

Here is another case of a trial judge failing to investigate further alleged possible extraneous influence on a juror or juror misconduct during a trial:
http://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/18a0025p-06.pdf

Juror Who Lied on Questionnaire Spends Day in Jail

A juror boasted to others that he had lied on his questionnaire.  Too bad for him that a prosecutor heard his boast.  Juror found in contempt and spent a day in jail holding.


http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2018/01/29/Allegheny-County-direct-criminal-contempt-juror-lied-Daniel-Puhala-Judge-Donna-Jo-McDaniel/stories/201801290097