Ohio judges get new jury rules for Twitter, e-mails

COLUMBUS (AP) — A new instruction for Ohio juries warns against using smart phones, e-mail, blogs, Twitter and other social media to gather information about a case.

The optional instruction announced today by the Ohio State Bar Association aims to keep courtrooms current with changing technology.

The instruction, which also covers chat rooms and texting, updates warnings judges can already give about staying away from newspaper and television coverage of a case.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger has said that judges’ control of the jury process faces serious challenges from smart phones and social media sites.