New Federal Jury Instructions Tackle Social Media

by Christine M. Vanek on September 4, 2012

The federal courts recently took a significant step in addressing concerns that social media use by jurors could influence the way business lawsuits and other cases are decided. Newly released jury instructions now directly address the use of Twitter, Facebook, and other similar services.

The new jury instructions were prompted, in part, by a survey on jurors’ use of social media. It found that the majority of judges (94%) polled had taken at least some form of precautionary steps to ensure that jurors do not use social media in their courtrooms, but were looking for additional guidance on the issue.