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Court approves closing of jury selection

Article Abstract:

The US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit has ruled that jury selection can be closed to the public and the press in criminal trials if proper notice is given. In the cases of three South Carolina legislators charged with selling votes, the court found that in only one had proper notice been given. The court stated that the closure of jury selection is permissible, especially in cases where the publicity would discourage potential jurors from answering jury questionnaires with complete honestly, and therefore lessen the defendant's right to a fair trial.

Jury selection

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Maryland court strikes down trial closure

Article Abstract:

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that a murder defendant is entitled to a new trial because the public was excluded from jury selection in his original trial. The trial court had denied a motion for a mistrial since the public had been prevented from entering the court not at the order of the court but at the initiative of a security deputy. The court of appeals reversed, stating the defendant's 6th Amendment right to a public trial had been denied.

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Courts allow order requiring journalists to sign secrecy agreement

Article Abstract:

The Texas Supreme Court allowed a lower court's requirement of court spectators to sign a confidentiality order for s civil trial between two corporations to stand in In re Dallas Morning News, Samsung v. Alcatel. An appeal to a federal court was refused.

United States, Texas, Trade secrets, Protection and preservation

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