The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Prospective jurors may ask a judge to withhold personal information outlined in juror questionnaires, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday.

While juror questionnaires traditionally are available to the public and news media, a juror may ask a judge to hold a hearing on the issue of keeping private certain personal information, the court ruled.

"Prospective jurors who disclosed sensitive information are entitled to an in-camera (private) hearing before such information is released," Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer wrote in a 22-page opinion.

Chief Justice Moyer said trial judges shouldn't promise confidentiality to prospective jurors required to fill out questionnaires on their background, personal life and familiarity with a criminal case.

Prospective jurors must be told that any information they disclose on the questionnaire "may be subject to public disclosure," Chief Justice Moyer said.

A juror concerned about such disclosure may request a hearing, the court said.

Personal identification information, such as Social Security, driver's license and telephone numbers, aren't related to juror impartiality and may be withheld from disclosure, the court said.

The ruling came in a case in which the Akron Beacon Journal had requested juror questionnaires in the October 2000 trial of Denny Ross, charged in a 1999 rape and murder.

The trial judge denied the request and sealed the names and questionnaires.

A mistrial was declared in the Ross case after the jury foreman told the judge that a juror supported the verdict only because he was in a hurry to leave.

The newspaper then asked the 9th Ohio District Court of Appeals to order the release of juror names and questionnaires.

The Supreme Court ruled that the juror questionnaires and names and addresses of jurors should be released if no overriding reason is found to keep them secret.