Almost a quarter of jurors confused about rules on internet use during a trial, according to new research

Almost a quarter of jurors (23 per cent) are unclear about the rules surrounding internet use during a trial, according to preliminary research led by Professor Cheryl Thomas (UCL Laws). Among jurors who misunderstand the rule on internet use, sixteen per cent believe they cannot use the internet at all, even to check their own emails, while serving on a jury; five per cent believe there is no restriction at all on their use of the internet during a trial; and two per cent believe they can look for information about their case during the trial as long as it does not influence their judgment.  "These findings show that the vast majority of jurors understand and follow the rules on how jurors can use new media during trial but the message is not getting through and is confusing to a significant minority of jurors," said lead author Professor Cheryl Thomas (UCL Laws). "In order to minimise juror contempt in the new media age, jurors must understand the rules on improper conduct, know how and when to report improper conduct when they see it, and they should be able to do so with ease. If we ignore these critical factors, then we run the risk of creating the ideal conditions for a perfect storm of juror contempt." The study, published in Criminal Law Review , a Thomson Reuters journal, follows a number of cases in recent years involving jurors' inappropriate use of the internet, which have led to a number of juries being discharged, or trials abandoned. Two cases have resulted in prosecutions and convictions of jurors for contempt.