Will smartphones bring the judicial system down?

Who didn't see this coming?

The New York Times reports that a federal judge had to declare a mistrial in a drug case when he found out that nine jurors were using their iPhones, Blackberrys and other internet-enabled cell phones to do their own research on the case.

With the jurors Twittering and posting their thoughts to Facebook, it is only a matter of time before criminal defendants figure out that their best strategy for an acquittal is to set up a Wikipedia page.

I am rapidly becoming a fan of changing the law to allow the use of jamming equipment for cell phone frequencies in places like courthouses.

This gives a whole new meaning to the idea of paperless courts.

The AP reports that an Ohio court will no longer accept case filings unless you bring your own paper because it can't afford to buy any.

No word on whether this applies to the courthouse restrooms as well.

" A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money!"

Of course these days we are throwing around the word "trillion" in front of the word "dollars" like we actually appreciate the difference.

Here is a good illustration.

Now that's what I call real money!