Stories
Sell It to the Jury
By Craig Vansant | Published Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010
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In an effort to make reporting for jury duty more enjoyable, the San Diego Superior Court has implemented a program that allows jurors to access wireless internet in the court's jury lounge at no charge.
"Citizen participation is the lifeblood of our judicial system," says presiding judge Kevin A. Enright. "It is our goal to make that experience as good of an experience as possible. More and more jurors are bringing their laptops and other portable devices to the court and asking for access to the internet while waiting to serve on a jury. We are happy to be able now to meet that need."
According to a news release, court staff has created WiFi "hotspots" at four jury lounges located in downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, and Vista. Jurors with a valid juror's badge number and a court-provided password can access the internet. The WiFi program began the week of January 25.
So how secure are the court documents that are electronically transfered throughout the building? And what about the professionals who work in or visit the building, attorneys, researchers, clerks etc. who could be dealing with private client information while in the building for court business? There are certainly hackers capable of reviewing or altering court records in the guise of awaiting ordinary jury duty.
By Momfer 6:36 p.m., Feb 3, 2010 > Report it
Fear not, Momfer.
Internet access is not the same thing as network access. Hooking up to a wi-fi connection at the court house is the same as hooking up to a wi-fi connection at the coffee house.
On the other hand, one does wonder if the network itself is secure, if attorneys are required to use strong passwords (and change them regularly), and if the network administrators are able/willing to monitor their system for infiltration.
But that is completely different from the standard internet access point the court seems to be providing.
By Fred_Williams 7:40 p.m., Feb 3, 2010 > Report it