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, November 30, 2018

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

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

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.