In Court, Everett Collection
Some California courts are holding jury trials during the coronavirus pandemic. Logistics have been a difficult challenge. But the biggest problem — one far more consequential than any technical issue and more pervasive than what happens in legal proceedings — is many people’s inability to pay attention anymore.
In one case, a juror left his computer to attend to food on the stove. Another juror could be seen lying in bed. Jurors switched focus away from court proceedings to other screens, kids, pets, and whatever else was happening at home.
In other words, jurors did what everyone does during video meetings. Juror distraction is merely a special case of a general problem.
Here’s what we can do about it.
(Link to full essay, originally published by The Daily Journal, September 11, 2020)