New Rules to Stop Jurors Making Own Investigations
Source: Victoria. Office of the Attorney General. Media Release
"Jurors and panel members involved in a lengthy empanelment for trials will be prohibited from making their own enquiries under legislation introduced by Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls. Mr Hulls said the new prohibition on enquiries by jurors and jury pool members was necessary to ensure that those sitting on trials were making decisions based on the evidence seen and heard in court.“In light of advances in technology, there are ever-increasing opportunities for jurors to undertake research relating to trial participants and events,” Mr Hulls said.“There have been appeals in New South Wales which have emphasised the damage caused by undirected juror investigations, not only to the viability of public prosecutions, but also to the peace of mind of victims of crime.“Such investigations can lead to jurors accessing potentially irrelevant and prejudicial material, which will affect the result of the trial. There have been retrials in New South Wales as a result of undirected juror investigations.” Those who breach the new prohibition on enquiries face a fine of up to $13,214, which Mr Hulls hopes will act as a deterrent."