Facebook Friending Juror Pleads Guilty
A juror has been sentenced to community service after pleading guilty to "friending" the defendant on Facebook and discussing the case on the social media site.
The defendant in a car accident case was Facebook friended after the first day of trial. The Defendant played it straight and told her lawyer and the judge removed the juror.
I'm not a big libertarian. And I understand where the prosecutor's office was coming from on this. But, personally, I don't know that we should be charging people with any crimes for any reason for Facebook friending someone. Clearly, this 22 year-old kid is guilty of using awful judgment. But a crime? No.
I think I keep underestimating the impact of social media on jury trials. These "social media impacts trials" types of stories are coming in by the bushel load.
- Who can you friend? (one bar association has an opinion)
- Social media and trial preparation
- The Maryland Court of Special Appeals addresses the social media for (what I think) was the first time
- Defense lawyers are spending a lot of time digging for dirt on plaintiffs on Facebook
- Jury selection and Facebook
- Another juror on Facebook story
- Join us on Facebook
Comments
I disagree Ron. We are seeing way too much juror misconduct and the only way to deter it is through tough sanctions
Posted by: Avenger | August 31, 2011 6:41 AM
I'm not unmindful of this opinion. This just does not have a misconduct feel to me. Truth is, it all worked out for the best. He obviously didn't belong on the jury.
Posted by: Ron Miller | August 31, 2011 11:34 AM