7-12-11: Anonymous Juries

Should the identities of jurors always be available to the public? The Maryland Court of Appeals says no.

Citing worries about intimidation and tampering, the Court of Appeals voted 6 to 1 last month to change jury rules. Now, courts can withhold juror identities if there is “clear and convincing evidence or information” that jury safety or integrity is endangered.

Anonymous juries raise some thorny issues. Phoebe Haddon, dean of the University of Maryland School of Law, walks us through them.

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