Nonprofit Considers Suit re Judge's Ban on Jury 'Education' Material Outside Courthouses
A storm is gathering over a Florida judge’s order banning distribution of jury “education” material outside Orange and Osceola courthouses by a national nonprofit group.
Attorney Roger Roots, who sits on the advisory board of the Fully Informed Jury Association, says it is seeking Florida counsel to advise on whether it should challenge an administrative order issued Monday by Chief Judge Belvin Perry, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
Members of the group have been seen handing out pamphlets on Mondays that tell prospective jurors they can vote their conscience and are not bound by a juror’s oath, the newspaper says. Under Perry’s order, anyone seen distributing such material would be given a copy of the order and warned not to continue. If they didn’t comply, they would face potential contempt sanctions.
The judge declined to comment, saying that his order speaks for itself.
