Michigan's Supreme Court Bans Jury Members from Mid-Trial Twitter Use
Posted by Molly DiBianca On July 6, 2009 In: Social Media in the Workplace
Stories of jurors tweeting from the jury box have been popping up around the web. So it was just a matter of time before judges put limits on juror's electronic activity during trial. The Michigan Supreme Court has taken the lead by banning jurors from using electronic communication devices during trial. 
As of September 1, Michigan judges "will instruct jurors not to use any handheld device, such as iPhones or Blackberrys, while in the jury box or during deliberations." Law.com reports that the new rule prohibits all electronic communications during trial.
It seems inevitable that similar rules will follow. Courts will have to institute these rules if there is to be any chance of preventing jurors from obtaining prohibited information while performing jury duty.
