Jurors who research cases on the internet to face jail terms
The government has announced plans to toughen up the sentencing of jurors who are found to have broken the terms of their service by researching cases online, by making it a specific crime for the first time.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling proposes sentences of as much as two years imposed on such individuals; including those who post comments about their cases on social media or carry out other prohibited acts.
Under current rules jurors can only be jailed under the broader definition of contempt of court.
The new offence joins a raft of others in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, including a ban on rape porn and forcing criminals to pay a surcharge toward the cost of their court cases.
Grayling said: “My priority with these reforms is to deliver a tough package of sentencing measures to make sure offenders are punished properly and consistently, so that the law-abiding majority know that we’re making the changes needed to keep them and their families safe.
“I also what to make sure we reduce the burden on hardworking taxpayers of the costs of running the courts.”