The Impartial Juror. Is It Even Possible?
I sincerely wonder in this advanced age of social media, Internet and high visibility media if in fact, anyone asked to sit on a jury can truly remain impartial? The standard instruction during trial proceedings are to not to speak, discuss, visit any locations mentioned in the case, not to read any articles, Google any articles and watch or read any media concerning the case. Is that really something that we can truly expect to be upheld outside the confines of a courtroom? I mean in today's age, some can't visit the restroom without updating their Facebook or Twitter accounts! The expectation of a fair and unbiased jury of your peers is largely based in trust and integrity. I'm just not sure that twelve people can realistically uphold that necessary responsibility. What is truly bothersome in my mind is the continued formation of "legal opinion" by those who only know what they read and assume rather than from the facts that have yet to be revealed...