Judge Times have changed, even when serving jury duty. It used to be that all the judge had to do was warn jurors not to read about the case to which they were assigned in the newspapers, listen to any reports about it on radio or watch any related discussion on TV. The multimedia world holds far greater threats to jury impartiality these days!

Surprisingly, I was picked to serve on my first civil trial this week. Usually, lawyers in such lawsuits want nothing to do with anyone who has as much experience covering insurance (especially fraud) as I do. But both lawyers seemed content that as a journalist, trained to seek out both sides of a story, I could be counted on to be objective about the facts in their situation.

All I was told is that the case involves an auto accident, and that it would likely take a few days to try. I was admonished not to discuss the actual facts of the case or the people involved until after the proceeding is concluded, and I shall abide by that oath.

However, I found it very interesting to hear all the many other concerns raised by the two attorneys in terms of assuring that all we know about the case is solely based on the evidence and testimony they present.

Rather than merely warning us not to read any newspaper, TV or radio coverage of the trial (an unlikely development in what sounds like a rather routine accident dispute), the attorneys told us not to Google any parties in the case. We were also warned not to look for the site of the accident on Google Earth!

We were told not to check Wikipedia, WebMD or any other Web site to independently investigate or elaborate on any facts raised or evidence introduced.

Meanwhile, we were questioned extensively about our Web usage and social media proclivities.

I was asked whether I use e-mail (duh!) or ever sent any text messages, and whether I understood that I could not e-mail or text friends, family, colleagues or business contacts about the case while it was going on.

I was asked whether I had a blog (yes, indeed!), and warned not to blog about the details of the case until it is resolved.

I was asked whether I had a Facebook page (yup, for what it's worth–filled as it is with the trivial minutia of the lives of friends and former associates), and was told not to post updates about the case and/or invite discussion or commentary from anyone online during the trial.

I was asked whether I ever Tweet (all the time!), and whether I understood that I would not be allowed to use Twitter to give my Followers updates on the trial. In fact, my mobile device is likely to be confiscated while the actual trial is going on, I was warned, in case I can't help but text or Tweet about some witness or piece of evidence I find less than credible.

However, the court in my home county of Kings (Brooklyn, N.Y.) has made some accommodations to the Wild, Wild Web world out there by not only offering free Wi-fi access to anyone with a mobile device or laptop while they wait to be called for jury service, but also by providing a dozen computers with free Web surfing to those in the jury pool.

I wonder how long it will be before we don't have to show up at court at all, but can watch the proceedings on a live Webcast and come to a verdict in a virtual deliberation room! Now that would be jury service I could live with!

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