Opinion ID: 1947022
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Overbroad/Procedure

Text: The December 1998 post-trial order was overbroad. It is well established that during trial, the circuit judge must admonish jurors not to have any communication with each other, or anyone else, about a felony case, and to report any attempted communications to the trial judge. RCr 9.70; KRS 29A.310(1). Traditionally, this Court has a strong preference for filtering all communications through a court officer so as to obtain leave of court. See Arnett v. Commonwealth, Ky., 470 S.W.2d 834 (1971). In this situation, we are faced with a post-trial order which attempts to protect jurors and their privacy from unnecessary invasion. We agree with the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Journal Publishing Company v. Mechem, supra, when it noted that trial courts have wide discretion in being able to protect the judicial process from influences that pose a danger to effective justice. Although the threat to justice caused by news media contact with jurors is much different after trial than it is during trial, see Sherman, supra, at 1361, the courts have properly exercised their right to protect jurors from post-trial harassment. See United States v. Harrelson, supra . As guidance to trial judges who may face similar problems, we would state that a party or an intervenor is entitled to procedural due process when the court seeks to restrict anyone from exercising a constitutionally protected news interest including news gathering. The minimum requirements of due process are notice and an opportunity for a hearing appropriate to the nature of the case. United States v. Raffoul, 826 F.2d 218 (3rd Cir.1987). In addition, a particularized finding of fact must be made for the record. Antar, supra . The burden of establishing a compelling government interest is on the government. The findings must demonstrate a clear and present danger to the privacy of the jurors. United States v. Sherman, 581 F.2d 1358 (9th Cir.1978). The Court must articulate findings of the actual expectation of the probability of harassment of jurors. There must be proof of a threat of harassment to support such order. Irritation and annoyance are not sufficient. The conduct of any evidentiary hearing is best left to the sound discretion of the circuit judge and can be undertaken in such a way as to provide for the privacy interests of the jurors as well as determining the compelling government interest needed. It is abundantly clear that if a juror does not wish to communicate with another individual, such juror is not required to do so. See United States v. Sherman, at 1362. The desire not to communicate is best achieved by simply refusing to talk. Seeking the protection of a court for a prior restraint is far more serious and much more difficult because it can involve an unconstitutional state action so as to create a prior restraint.