Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim.) 1.1

To be given when jurors are in courtroom, prior to voir dire.

To have a fair and lawful trial, there are rules all jurors must follow. A basic rule is jurors must decide the case only on the evidence presented in the courtroom. You must not communicate with anyone, including friends and family members, about this case, the people and places involved, or your jury service. You must not disclose your thoughts about this case or ask for advice on how to decide this case.

I want to stress this rule means you must not use electronic devices or cell phones to communicate about this case, including posting information on the internet, e-mailing, or any other means. Do not send or accept any messages to or from anyone about this case or your jury service. In addition, your cell phone or electronic device must be turned completely off while you are in the courtroom.

You must not do any research or look up words, names, maps, or anything else that may have anything to do with this case. This includes reading newspapers, watching television, or using a computer, cell phone, the internet, any electronic device, or any other means, to get information related to this case or the people and places involved in this case. This applies whether you are in the courthouse, at home, or anywhere else.

All of us are depending on you to follow these rules, so there will be a fair and lawful resolution to this case. Unlike questions you may be allowed to ask in court, which will be answered in court in the presence of the judge and the parties, if you investigate, research, or make inquiries on your own outside of the courtroom, the trial judge has no way to assure they are proper and relevant to the case. The parties likewise have no opportunity to dispute the accuracy of what you find or to provide rebuttal evidence to it. That is contrary to our judicial system, which assures every party the right to ask questions about and rebut the evidence being considered in this courtroom and to present argument with respect to that evidence. Non-court inquiries and investigations unfairly and improperly prevent the parties from having that opportunity our judicial system promises. Any juror who violates these restrictions jeopardizes the fairness of these proceedings, and a mistrial could result that would require the entire trial process to start over. A mistrial is a tremendous expense and inconvenience to the parties, the court, and the taxpayers. If you violate these rules, you may be held in contempt of court, and face sanctions, such as serving time in jail, paying a fine, or both. If you become aware of any violation of these instructions or any other instruction I give in this case, you must tell me by giving a note to the [court deputy] [bailiff].