THE COURTS
PART I. GENERAL
[ 231 PA. CODE CH. 200 ]
Proposed New Rules 220.1 and 220.2, and Amendment of Current Rules 220.1 and 223.1 Governing the Use of Electronic Devices by Jurors; Proposed Recommendation No. 254
[42 Pa.B. 377]
[Saturday, January 21, 2012]The Civil Procedural Rules Committee proposes that new Rules of Civil Procedure 220.1 and 220.2, and current Rules 220.1 and 223.1 governing the use of electronic devices by jurors be promulgated and amended as set forth herein. The proposed recommendation is being submitted to the bench and bar for comments and suggestions prior to its submission to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. All communications in reference to the proposed recommendation should be sent no later than March 2, 2012 to:
Karla M. Shultz
Counsel
Civil Procedural Rules Committee
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 6200
P. O. Box 62635
Harrisburg PA 17106-2635
FAX 717-231-9526
civilrules@pacourts.us
Annex A
TITLE 231. RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
PART I. GENERAL
CHAPTER 200. BUSINESS OF COURTS (Editor's Note: Rules 220.1 and 220.2 are new and printed in regular type to enhance readability.)
Rule 220.1. Preliminary Instructions to Potential Jurors.
(a) For purposes of this rule, ''prospective jurors'' means those persons who have been chosen to be part of the panel from which the trial jurors and alternate jurors will be selected. ''Selected jurors'' means those members of the panel who have been selected to serve as trial jurors or alternate jurors.
(b) Persons selected for jury service, upon their arrival for this service, shall be instructed in their duties while serving as prospective jurors and selected jurors.
(c) At a minimum, the persons selected for jury service shall be instructed that until their service as prospective or selected jurors is concluded, they shall not:
(1) discuss any case in which they have been chosen as prospective jurors or selected jurors with others, including other jurors, except as otherwise authorized by the court;
(2) read or listen to any news reports about any such case;
(3) use a computer, cellular telephone, or other electronic device with communication capabilities while in attendance at trial or during deliberation. These devices may be used during breaks or recesses but may not be used to obtain or disclose information prohibited in subdivision (c)(4);
(4) use a computer, cellular telephone, or other electronic device with communication capabilities, or any other method, to obtain or disclose information about any case in which they have been chosen as prospective or selected jurors. Information about the case includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(i) information about a party, witness, attorney, judge, or court officer;
(ii) news accounts of the case;
(iii) information collected through juror research on any topics raised or testimony offered by any witness;
(iv) information collected through juror research on any other topic the juror might think would be helpful in deciding the case.
(d) These instructions shall be repeated:
(1) to the prospective jurors at the beginning of voir dire;
(2) to the selected jurors at the commencement of the trial;
(3) to the selected jurors prior to deliberations; and
(4) to the selected jurors during trial as the trial judge deems appropriate.
Official Note: For comprehensive jury instructions on the use of electronic devices by jurors in civil cases, see Section 1.180 of the Pennsylvania Suggested Civil Jury Instructions, Pa. SSJI (Civ), § 1.180.
For guidance regarding the use of electronic devices in the courtroom by persons other than jurors, see Canon 3A(7) of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Rule 220.2. Sanctions for Use of Prohibited Communication Devices.
Any individual who violates the provisions of Rule 220.1 regarding the use of electronic devices by jurors or who violates any reasonable limitation imposed by local rule or by the trial judge regarding the prohibited use of electronic devices during court proceedings:
(a) may be found in contempt of court and sanctioned in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 4132 et seq., and
(b) may be subject to sanctions deemed appropriate by the trial judge, including, but not limited to, the confiscation of the electronic device that is used in violation of this rule.
Rule [220.1] 220.3. Voir Dire.
(a) Prospective jurors shall be instructed on their duties and restrictions while serving as jurors, including those provided in Rule 220.1.
(b) Voir dire shall be conducted to provide the opportunity to obtain at a minimum a full description of the following information, where relevant, concerning the prospective jurors and their households:
* * * * * (16) Ability to refrain from using a computer, cellular telephone or other electronic device with communication capabilities in violation of the provisions of Rule 220.1; and
(17) Such other pertinent information as may be appropriate to the particular case to achieve a competent, fair and impartial jury.
Official Note: For example, under presently prevailing law as established by the Superior Court, voir dire should have been allowed with respect to the effect of pre-trial publicity on prospective jurors' ''attitudes regarding medical malpractice and tort reform.'' Capoferri v. Children's Hosp. of Phila., 893 A.2d 133 (Pa. Super. 2006) (en banc).
[(b)] (c) The court may provide for voir dire to include the use of a written questionnaire. However, the use of a written questionnaire without the opportunity for oral examination by the court or counsel is not a sufficient voir dire.
Official Note: The parties or their attorneys may conduct the examination of the prospective jurors unless the court itself conducts the examination or otherwise directs that the examination be conducted by a court employee. Any dispute shall be resolved by the court.
A written questionnaire may be used to facilitate and expedite the voir dire examination by providing the trial judge and attorneys with basic background information about the jurors, thereby eliminating the need for many commonly asked questions.
[(c)] (d) The court may permit all or part of the examination of a juror out of the presence of other jurors.
Rule 223.1. Conduct of the Trial. Trial by Jury.
(a) The trial judge shall give instructions to the jury before the taking of evidence as provided in Rule 220.1.
(b) In conducting a trial by jury, the court may use one or more of the procedures provided in subdivisions [(b) and] (c) and (d) as may be appropriate in the particular case.
Official Note: This rule catalogs certain procedures which may be utilized in the conduct of a jury trial. Since the court has broad power and discretion in the manner in which it conducts a jury trial, it is not intended that this rule be construed as enlarging, restricting or in any way affecting that power and discretion.
See Rule 223.2 for juror note taking in civil cases.
[(b)] (c) The court may permit jurors to view a premises or a thing in or on a premises.
Official Note: See Rule 219 governing view of premises.
[(c)] (d) The court may
* * * * *
Explanatory Comment The Civil Procedural Rules Committee is proposing new Rules 220.1 and 220.2 and the amendment of current Rules 220.1 and 223.1. The proposed changes are intended to provide guidance to the bench and bar regarding the use of electronic devices by jurors in civil cases.
The proposed rules and amendments provide for jurors to be instructed that the use of electronic devices is restricted during their tenure as a prospective juror, i.e. a member of the jury pool, and as a selected juror. The proposal would require the trial court to instruct jurors that they may not conduct independent research on the Internet about the case, communicate about the case electronically, e.g. ''tweeting'' or ''blogging,'' or use such devices during juror deliberations. The proposal provides for the trial court to instruct jurors at the earliest opportunity of interaction between the juror and the trial court, and then be repeated as often as practicable. The proposal also provides for sanctions against any person who violates the provisions of these rules. It should also be noted that a note to new Rule 220.1 cross-references Section 1.180 of the Pennsylvania Suggested Civil Jury Instructions, Pa. SSJI (Civ), § 1.180. These instructions specifically address the use of electronic devices by juror.
While the proposal focuses on the use of electronic devices by jurors, it remains silent as to their use in the courtroom by the public and media. Canon 3A(7) of the Code of Judicial Conduct outlines the responsibility of a trial court regarding the broadcasting, televising, or taking of photographs in the courtroom in civil proceedings.
By the Civil Procedural Rules Committee
DIANE W. PERER,
Chair
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-77. Filed for public inspection January 20, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]
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