WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE- District attorneys say they are concerned about a proposal by a New Orleans state senator that would allow jurors in criminal trials to take notes during testimony.

Democratic Sen. Ed Murray says jurors should be able to jot down testimony and make notes on legal arguments during murder trials and other complex criminal proceedings.

The rules on allowing jurors to take notes during a trial vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Prosecutors told The Advocate they have concerns that a juror may take information down incorrectly and others will base deliberations on inaccurate notes. They also say the note-taking could distract jurors from listening to the testimony.

The proposal will be considered in the legislatives session that begins March 12.