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Fla. Jurors Banned From Taking Smartphones Into Deliberations

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) - Jurors in cases hoping to get the first tweet or social media statement out are out of luck after a new rule was approved by the Florida Supreme Court.

Jurors will be prohibited from taking their smartphones and other electronic devices into deliberations under the new rule.

The court approved the rule Wednesday. It also gives judges the discretion to remove phones and electronic devices from jurors at any point once they've been impaneled.

From the time people show up for jury duty until the time they are discharged, they will also be prohibited from using smartphones or other devices to transmit or access data, take photos of videos of the proceedings, transmitting or texting details about the case or looking up information about the case.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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