News In Focus
21 October 2009
Findlay warns over impartiality and internet use
Donald Findlay QC has called for a new criminal offence to be introduced to prevent jurors using the internet while considering a criminal case.
Mr Findlay said the impartiality of jury trials could be hampered as an increasing number of jurors use the internet to research cases in which they are involved.
He claimed that said the Scottish Government had adopted an "ostrich approach" to the problem of jury members "Googling" details of criminal trials when they are sent home overnight.
Paul McBride QC also warned that jurors tempted to conduct online research posed a "real danger" to the fairness of criminal trials in Scotland.