Jurors Banned From Tweeting

In Michigan, trial judges are now required to ban jurors from using cell phones and other electronic devices while serving on a jury or deliberating.  This move comes after a judge was forced to declare a mistrial after a juror reportedly researched the case using Google.  Some experts think there is more here than simply an addiction to technology.  They suggest that our distrust in the legal system may lead jurors to attempt to investigate the "real story" on the internet, rather than simply accepting what's presented in the courtroom.  This tendency towards technology is also changing the way lawyers present their case.  Jurors are no longer used to simply sitting and listening for information.  Instead they want to see exhibits and charts graphically presenting the information. 

The full article is available here: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1948971,00.html