HB181: Juror information; court may in criminal trial issue an order regulating disclosure thereof.


HOUSE BILL NO. 181
House Amendments in [ ] – February 11, 2008
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-263.3, relating to confidentiality of juror information.
Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Marshall, R.G.

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 19.2-263.3 as follows:

§ 19.2-263.3. Juror information confidential.

A. The court may, upon motion of either party or its own motion, and for good cause shown, issue  [ a protective an ]  order regulating the disclosure of the personal information of a juror in a criminal trial to any person, other than to counsel for either party. Good cause shown includes, but is not limited to, a determination by the court that there is a likelihood of bribery, tampering, or physical injury to or harassment of a juror if his personal information is disclosed.

B. In addition to the provisions of subsection A, the Supreme Court shall prescribe and publish rules that provide for the protection of the personal information of a juror in a criminal trial.

C. For purposes of this section, "personal information" means any information collected by the court, clerk, or jury commissioner at any time about a person who is selected to sit on a criminal jury and includes, but is not limited to, a juror's name, age, occupation, home and business addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and any other identifying information that would assist another in locating or contacting the juror.   

HOUSE BILL NO. 181
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled December 26, 2007
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-263.3, relating to confidentiality of juror information.
Patron-- Marshall, R.G.

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 19.2-263.3 as follows:

§ 19.2-263.3. Juror information confidential.

A. The court may, upon motion of either party or its own motion, and for good cause shown, issue a protective order regulating the disclosure of the personal information of a juror in a criminal trial to any person, other than to counsel for either party. Good cause shown includes, but is not limited to, a determination by the court that there is a likelihood of bribery, tampering, or physical injury to or harassment of a juror if his personal information is disclosed.

B. In addition to the provisions of subsection A, the Supreme Court shall prescribe and publish rules that provide for the protection of the personal information of a juror in a criminal trial.

C. For purposes of this section, "personal information" means any information collected by the court, clerk, or jury commissioner at any time about a person who is selected to sit on a criminal jury and includes, but is not limited to, a juror's name, age, occupation, home and business addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and any other identifying information that would assist another in locating or contacting the juror.