Rule 284.Judge to Caution Jury

Last amended April 1, 2011 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 284 requires the court, after the jury is selected, to instruct jurors to turn off electronic devices, not to communicate electronically in court or during deliberations, and not to post about or research the case online.

Full Text of Rule 284

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Immediately after jurors are selected for a case, the court must instruct them to turn off their phones and other electronic devices and not to communicate with anyone through any electronic device while they are in the courtroom or while they are deliberating. The court must also instruct them that, while they are serving as jurors, they must not post any information about the case on the Internet or search for any information outside of the courtroom, including on the Internet, to try to learn more about the case. If jurors are permitted to separate before they are released from jury duty, either during the trial or after the case is submitted to them, the court must instruct them that it is their duty not to communicate with, or permit themselves to be addressed by, any other person about any subject relating to the case.

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Plain-English Summary

Rule 284 carries the modern juror admonitions. Immediately after jurors are selected, the court must instruct them to turn off their phones and other electronic devices and not to communicate through any device while in the courtroom or while deliberating. The court must also tell them that, while serving, they must not post information about the case on the Internet or search for outside information — including on the Internet — to learn more about the case. If jurors are permitted to separate, the court must instruct them not to communicate with anyone about the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Texas jurors use the Internet or social media about a case?

No. Rule 284 requires the court to instruct jurors not to post about the case online or research it on the Internet, and to turn off electronic devices in the courtroom and during deliberations.

When must a Texas judge give the electronic-device instruction to jurors?

Immediately after jurors are selected. Rule 284 requires the court to instruct them then to turn off their phones and other electronic devices and not to communicate through any device in the courtroom or while deliberating.

Can separated Texas jurors discuss the case with family during trial?

No. Rule 284 requires the court to instruct jurors who are permitted to separate that it is their duty not to communicate with, or be addressed by, anyone about any subject relating to the case.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 284), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: judge to caution juryjury admonitionelectronic devicessocial media instructionTRCP 284