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Bill would warn jurors against wireless, social media 

By: Sylvia Hsieh
Published: February 23, 2010

Tags: Facebook, jurors, jury instructions, Twitter

Legislation introduced in California would require courts to warn jurors specifically against the use of all forms of electronic and wireless communications during trial.

Fed courts propose juror no-texting policy 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: February 11, 2010

Tags: BlackBerry, cell phone, Facebook, iphone, Judicial Conference, jurors, jury instructions, LinkedIn, social media, texting, YouTube

WASHINGTON – New proposed jury instructions for federal courts warn jurors against text messaging, tweeting or using other forms of electronic social media to discuss cases.

Using jury reforms to help your case 

By: Richard Gabriel
Published: January 19, 2010

Tags: juries, jurors, jury instructions, jury reforms

Americans are an impatient bunch. We hate waiting in line, microwave many of our meals and check our e-mail while driving.

Jury instruction writing tips 

By: Nora Tooher
Published: January 14, 2010

Tags: jury instructions

Jury instructions are often so complicated even the most intelligent understand them. A Loyola Law School professor offers tips to draft jury instructions jurors will understand.

Revised jury instructions: Do not use the Internet 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: September 14, 2009

Tags: jury instructions

In the latest sign of the collision between the courts and new communication technologies, jurors in a California wrongful death case will have to sign declarations attesting that they will not use “personal electronic and media devices” to research or communicate about any aspect of the case. It is believed to be the first time in the state that such a move has been made.

Helping jurors use jury instructions

By: Richard Gabriel
Published: August 3, 2009

Tags: juries, jury instructions

When the deliberation room door closes and your jury finally gets to discuss the case, what do you think is their first order of business? Do they sit down and parse the verbiage of the jury instructions, analytically establishing the rules by which they must interpret the evidence?

Mich. Supreme Court adopts jury cell phone rule 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: July 2, 2009

Tags: cellphone, jury instructions

Michigan jurors will soon be instructed not to use cell phones or other electronic devices at trial or during deliberations except during breaks. The state Supreme Court on Tuesday adopted a statewide rule governing jurors’ use of communication devices.

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION 

By: Justin Rebello
Published: March 31, 2009

Tags: Discrimination, jury instructions

Must a plaintiff present direct evidence of discrimination in order to obtain a mixed-motive jury instruction in a non-Title VII case?

U.S. Supreme Court. Gross v. FBL Financial Services, No. 08-441. Certiorari granted Dec. 5, 2008. Ruling below: 526 F.3d 356 (8th Cir. 2008).

Tackling juror Internet use 

By: Nora Tooher
Published: March 24, 2009

Tags: Facebook, jurors, jury instructions, Twitter

Concerned by the spread of the Web into jury deliberations, trial lawyers are urging judges to pull the plug on plugged-in jurors.

‘Anchors’ are the key to winning the battle for non-economic damages

By: Bill Ibelle
Published: July 19, 2004

Tags: anchoring, jury instructions, non-economic damages

Richard Plattner learned early in his career that lawyers put their clients at risk when they fail to use “anchors” to help jurors establish a fair value for non-economic damages.