Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age

The lay-jury remains a central feature of justice systems in many common law countries. Underpinning the nature of jury trials are two fundamental principles: representativeness and impartiality. In order to satisfy these principles, jurors will typically be asked to provide personal information. Th...

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Main Author: Natalia Antolak-Saper
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Bond University 2018-01-01
Series:Bond Law Review
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.53300/001c.5667
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author Natalia Antolak-Saper
author_facet Natalia Antolak-Saper
author_sort Natalia Antolak-Saper
collection DOAJ
description The lay-jury remains a central feature of justice systems in many common law countries. Underpinning the nature of jury trials are two fundamental principles: representativeness and impartiality. In order to satisfy these principles, jurors will typically be asked to provide personal information. This disclosure presents the possibility that a juror’s private information may be misused. While such concerns have existed for some time, the advent of Information Communication Technologies has given them increased urgency. Surveys reveal that a significant number of jurors are concerned for their privacy and safety, presenting a conflict between the public duty of jury service and their personal right of privacy. This article considers the extent to which the state can and should protect the privacy of individuals called for jury service. Focusing on examples from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, it begins with a discussion of the extent to which jurors are required to disclose personal information. It then discusses various concerns that may arise as a result of that disclosure, particularly personal safety and public embarrassment. Finally, suggestions for reform are provided in an attempt to address these concerns.
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spelling doaj-art-f5ca05f64d1f4e4482aa33599c95e0322025-08-20T02:50:40ZengBond UniversityBond Law Review1033-45052202-48242018-01-0130210.53300/001c.5667Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information AgeNatalia Antolak-SaperThe lay-jury remains a central feature of justice systems in many common law countries. Underpinning the nature of jury trials are two fundamental principles: representativeness and impartiality. In order to satisfy these principles, jurors will typically be asked to provide personal information. This disclosure presents the possibility that a juror’s private information may be misused. While such concerns have existed for some time, the advent of Information Communication Technologies has given them increased urgency. Surveys reveal that a significant number of jurors are concerned for their privacy and safety, presenting a conflict between the public duty of jury service and their personal right of privacy. This article considers the extent to which the state can and should protect the privacy of individuals called for jury service. Focusing on examples from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, it begins with a discussion of the extent to which jurors are required to disclose personal information. It then discusses various concerns that may arise as a result of that disclosure, particularly personal safety and public embarrassment. Finally, suggestions for reform are provided in an attempt to address these concerns.https://doi.org/10.53300/001c.5667
spellingShingle Natalia Antolak-Saper
Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age
Bond Law Review
title Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age
title_full Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age
title_fullStr Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age
title_full_unstemmed Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age
title_short Public Duty versus Private Information: Jury Privacy in the Information Age
title_sort public duty versus private information jury privacy in the information age
url https://doi.org/10.53300/001c.5667
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