The Feds Try Again, But Just Won't Say Why

(cross posted at the Citizen Media Law Project)
The federal courts have revised the jury instructions released in 2010 to address jurors' use of the internet and social media. But while the revised version is more specific about what activities jurors should avoid, they are still inadequate. This is because they are still in the form of a command -- "thou shalt not" -- but do not explain to jurors why they should not discuss the case or do research online.

Judicial Commission Considers Judge's "Like"

SEE COMMENTS FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS POST.

On Friday (Aug. 10) the Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications was slated to consider a complaint filed against Butler County District Judge Jan Satterfield over her "liking" a post on the Facebook page (removed, but cached here) of Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet's re-election campaign, according to the Augusta (Kan.) Gazette (AP version here).

This is one of only a handful of cases where judges have run into issues through their use of social media. But such situations are likely to become more common as such activity continues to grow.

Appeal of Ruling that "Like" Isn't Like Speech

Back in May, I wrote about a decision by a federal judge that former employees of a county sheriff's office could not sue for political retaliation after they were fired for "liking" the Facebook page of the sheriff's political opponent.