Jury Anonymity Pondered In Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - A judicial panel is considering an unusual, if not unprecedented, proposal to keep the names of jurors confidential in all criminal trials in Virginia.

Gregory Hurley, a knowledge-management analyst with the National Center for State Courts, says he knows of no other state with such a rule.

The 2008 General Assembly passed legislation allowing jury anonymity when a judge finds a strong chance of tampering or physical injury to jurors. The law directs the Virginia Supreme Court to develop the anonymity rules.

A judicial panel that advises the court has suggested making all criminal juries anonymous and is receiving public comment until Sept. 1. The panel's final recommendation will go to the justices this fall.