It is a reality of impaneling a jury that many prospective jurors prefer not to serve for fear of losing their job. However, federal law provides that in federal court "no employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee's jury service...in any court of the United States." 28 U.S. Code Sec. 1875. Many states have similar protections. Penalties for violations are severe. States differ on whether the employer must pay the employee during jury service. Example: Mass. law requires full pay for first 3 days of jury service. Refer to www.paycor.com.
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.

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