Criminal Justice Assignment: Rules, Evidence, and Juror Behavior

This assignment delves into the complexities of the criminal justice system, focusing on the crucial role of jurors and the rules that govern their conduct. It examines the potential for juror bias due to access to information, the importance of the exclusionary rule in ensuring fair trials, and the need for clear guidelines to prevent mistrials. The assignment explores how adherence to these rules, particularly regarding evidence and the use of technology, is essential for maintaining the integrity of the justice system. The author discusses the significance of evidence gathered in compliance with the Constitution and approved by a judge, as well as the consequences of disregarding these guidelines. The assignment emphasizes the need for jurors to base their decisions solely on presented evidence, free from external influences and personal biases, to ensure just verdicts. The assignment also highlights the importance of the rules to be followed by the jury to avoid manipulation and biased opinions. The assignment concludes with a discussion on the need for rules regarding the use of technology by jurors, to avoid the possibility of bias.

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Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Evaluation of the reason for the rules limiting a juror’s access to information
There is a fear among the courts and commentators that jurors having access to internet
would be biased towards the proceedings of the trial. It has been observed that the court rules and
the jury instructions have been designed in such a way that it ensures that the jurors can consider
evidence that have been admitted only at the appropriate time. The neutrality of a jury can only
make the search for justice possible. For the avoidance of verdicts that are being motivated
politically, the jury needs to be free of any personal knowledge in relation to the facts of the case.
A mistrial would be created if it is found out by the court that there has been use of technology
by any juror for research purpose or for tweeting or messaging an outsider. In such cases a new
trial would have to be started (Marder, 2015).
Should guilt or innocence only use information gathered in compliance with
the Constitution and approved by the judge
As per the exclusionary rule the government is prevented from using evidence that had
been collected in violation of the Constitution of the United States of America. The rule has been
grounded in the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution and the intention of it is the protection of
the citizens from any type of illegal search or seizure (Re, 2013). It can be agreed that if the
investigation is done in a correct way then the evidence that has been collected in compliance
with the Constitution and the judge’s approval would be enough for proving guilt or innocence.

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Absence of Rules
In absence of the rules to be followed by the jury then the jury would be seen to be more
predetermined about the opinion of the guilt or innocence of the defendant, and even be
manipulated by the opinions and would become biased of others and hence there would be more
mistrials.
Exceptions to the Rules
New conversations regarding the jurors’ use of technology are required. A jury, during
the trial should not be using internet for research purpose or for the purpose of using twitter
or messaging about the trial. If any jury has any query regarding the trial they should ask for
clarification of the question. A jury is not needed to be deciding right from the wrong. The rules
are made for keeping the verdicts unbiased and the decisions should be made on the basis of the
evidence that has been presented in the trial.

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Reference
Re, R. M. (2013). The Due Process Exclusionary Rule. Harv. L. Rev., 127, 1885.
Marder, N. S. (2015). Juror bias, voir dire, and the judge-jury relationship. Chi.-Kent L. Rev., 90,
927.