California jurors misusing the Internet could face fines

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Apr 24, 1:13 PM EDT

California jurors misusing the Internet could face fines

By SUDHIN THANAWALA
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Jurors who threaten to derail trials by researching them on Google or posting comments about them on Twitter are often dismissed with nothing more than a tongue-lashing from a judge.

But that may soon change in California. Legislation supported by state court officials would authorize judges in some counties to fine jurors up to $1,500 for social media and Internet use violations, which have led to mistrials and overturned convictions around the country.

As jurors and judges have become more technology savvy in recent years, the perils of jurors playing around with their smartphones have become a mounting concern, particularly in technology-rich California. A 2011 state law made improper electronic or wireless communication or research by a juror punishable by contempt.

Supporters of the latest California measure say a potential fine would give teeth to existing prohibitions against social media and Internet use and simplify the process for holding wayward jurors accountable.


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TWEETING_JURORS_FINES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-04-24-13-13-40

[Feeling the Bern]

1. Yet police that commit perjury, judges that are in the pocket of the PIC and prosecutorial

misconduct is swept under the rug. Gotta go after the jurors.

[metroins]

2. Humans gonna human nt

[Gidney N Cloyd]

3. But AFTER a defendant's railroaded into an unjust conviction we can research the case for the appeal

Appeals = more billing hours.

OK, I get that a jury is supposed to decide based on the facts presented during trial but could we at least ask questions during the trial?