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|Jury Information|
Judiciary Policy on Jurors’ Use of Cell Phones, Pagers,
and Other Wireless Communication Devices
To regulate the use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and other wireless communication devices by jurors, in order to minimize disruptions, preserve the integrity of court and / or other judicial proceedings, and avoid even the appearance of possible juror impropriety.
All jurors shall be advised to turn off their cell phones, pagers and other wireless communication devices when in a courtroom or grand jury room, including those used for State grand jury.
Jurors who are seated on a trial or a grand jury will be instructed that cell phones, pagers or other wireless communication devices must be turned off, and that they cannot be used while in the deliberation room or grand jury room, including those used for State grand jury. Use of such devices will be restricted to court recesses when the juror is outside the deliberation room. Any violations will be reported to the judge. Jurors will be provided with a telephone number at which they may be contacted during their trial service or grand jury service.
This policy does not prevent a judge from ordering additional actions relating to such devices should the judge determine that action to be necessary, including requiring jurors to turn over such devices.
Jurors shall be advised of this policy at juror orientation and the policy may be posted in deliberation rooms and grand jury rooms, including State grand jury.
Model Instructions for Jurors with Cell Phones,
Pagers, and other Wireless Communication Devices
Petit Jurors
If you have a cell phone, pager, or other communication device, you must turn that device off while in the courtroom. When serving on a trial, you must turn off cell phones and other communication devices and cannot use them for any purpose when in the deliberation room. You will be given a telephone number at which you can be contacted during the trial. Unless instructed otherwise by the trial judge, you can use those devices only when outside the deliberation room during recesses. You must be mindful of the judge's trial instructions at all times.
Grand Jurors
If you have a cell phone, pager, or other communication device, you must turn that device off while in the courtroom. When serving as a grand juror, you must turn off cell phones and other communication devices and cannot use them for any purpose when in the grand jury room. You will be given a telephone number at which you can be contacted during your service. Unless instructed otherwise by the supervising judge, you can use those devices only when outside the grand jury room during recesses. You must be mindful of the judge's instructions at all times.
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