Juries in the digital age : managing juror online and social media use during trial

Questions about the contemporary relevance of juries, their ability to make impartial decisions and their ability to respond to emerging challenges have long been a focus of debate. This chapter considers these questions and explores the extent to which juries continue to ensure that an accused person receives a fair trial. Whilst jury processes remained largely unchanged throughout the twentieth century, jurors have evolved in the twenty-first century-becoming more highly educated and with access to information through technology in the palm of the hand. Access to digital information can both enhance and pollute a criminal trial. This chapter advocates reforms to ensure jurors are kept engaged and active, are well informed through written collaborative jury directions, and deliberate more thoroughly without being tempted to seek their own digital advice.