The Jury Is Being Killed by the Internet

Abstract

Jurors are supposed impartially to consider the evidence, and only the evidence. Because of the seeming artificial rules of evidence, the jurors often feel that relevant information is being withheld from them. So they are tempted to browse the Internet, and pass the information on to their colleagues. The judge warns the jurors, but the practice is difficult to stop. Electronic devices can be surrendered during the trial, but there can be no control at home. If the abuse does come to light, then the trial will have to be restarted afresh, and the offending juror punished.