The Digital Age Pressures Courts to get with the Times

Technology and the courts are clashing in a big way. At the same time that we see court systems trying to take advantage of technology to increase transparency, we also see that same technology eroding the process. Karen Eltis, a professor at the University of Ottawa Law School and author of Courts, Litigants and the Digital Age, gave more insight into this growing problem, and potential solutions.

Karen spoke with us about one of the big challenges with the digital age and the court system, which is jurors deciding the case before the case is even over, then airing their opinion on social media. This has led to mistrials and draconian repercussions for jurors.
Karen Eltis talks with Chris Dorobek – 1 by cdorobek

When courts try to take advantage of social media themselves by live-blogging court cases, they’ve made information public that later was decided should be removed from the public record. Karen said that this has led to embarrassment on the part of litigants who have sued for defamation or privacy concerns where the statements are then made public regardless.
Karen Eltis talks with Chris Dorobek – 2 by cdorobek

To listen to Karen’s full interview you can catch the full radio show at GovLoop Insights or you can subscribe to our itunes channel.

What balance can be found between courts utilizing social media for transparency and keeping it from eroding the process?