DOWNEY : Appeals Court to Take Up Issue of Anonymous Juries

A state appeals court has ordered that a Downey trial be postponed until the justices can decide whether an anonymous jury should be used.

In a brief order, the 2nd District Court of Appeal said that the use of anonymous juries raises a “novel and important issue of law.” The court asked that additional written briefs be submitted and scheduled oral arguments for Dec. 21.

The Downey case, in which Dennis Jansen is accused of violating a restraining order, has been closely watched because it could be the first to resolve whether jurors can be anonymous without a compelling reason such as the threat of injury or harassment.

The judge in that case, John David Lord, and a Bellflower judge, Philip K. Mautino, have drawn attention and legal challenges because they use anonymous juries in every criminal case.