The article below discusses a prospective juror in Florida who conducted internet research during jury selection. When asked by the judge why he researched the case the juror explained, "curiosity got the better of me."
Fortunately for this juror he was neither fined nor incarcerated. Instead the judge decided to sentence him to additional service as a juror--one week a month for the next three months. What I find interesting about this growing problem is that few ever look at the system itself. It seems most folks want to place all the blame on the juror rather than examine the legal system as a whole.
Jurors like everyone else in society are curious. In the Digital Age, they now have the tools to satisfy this curiosity. Society should consider offering jurors other ways in which to fulfill this curiosity e.g., courts should allow and encourage questions by jurors.
St. Petersburg Times: Judge sentences misbehaving juror to more
jury service
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