Law Commons^™

Investigating Jurors In The Digital Age: One Click At A Time, Thaddeus A. Hoffmeister

School of Law Faculty Publications

The Internet has resurrected the practice of investigating jurors. Thus, there is a growing need for more research and study on this topic to better understand its impact on the legal system and society as a whole. This Article attempts to fill the current void by taking an in-depth look at online juror investigations. In Part II, this Article offers an overview of juror investigations by attorneys. Here, the Article focuses on the evolution of the practice. In Part III, the Article examines the benefits of the practice to both the legal system and attorneys. This Part demonstrates that more …

Google, Gadgets, And Guilt: Juror Misconduct In The Digital Age, Thaddeus A. Hoffmeister

School of Law Faculty Publications

This article begins by examining the traditional reasons for juror research. The article then discusses how the Digital Age has created new rationales for juror research while simultaneously affording jurors greater opportunities to conduct such research. Next, the article examines how technology has also altered juror-to-juror communications and juror-to-non-juror communications. Part I concludes by analyzing the reasons jurors violate court rules about discussing the case.

In Part II, the article explores possible steps to limit the negative impact of the Digital Age on juror research and communications. While no single solution or panacea exists for these problems, this article focuses …