In a recent formal ethics opinion, the American Bar Association found that attorneys can research prospective jurors on the internet, including social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, and use that information in the jury selection process. The ABA recommends that “judges should consider advising jurors during the orientation process that their backgrounds will be of interest to the litigants and that the lawyers in the case may investigate their backgrounds, including review of [Facebook and Twitter].”
The ruling may be troublesome to apply in the context of Connecticut’s individual voir dire process.
