NCJ Number
25418
Journal
Judicature Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Dated: (MAY 1975) Pages: 494-501
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS THE ECONOMIC LOSSES INCURRED BY JURORS AS A RESULT OF INCOME LOSS, EXTENDED JURY TERMS, DAILY EXPENSES, AND REPETITION OF JURY DUTY, AND SUGGESTS MEANS TO ALLEVIATE THESE FINANCIAL LOSSES.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS ALSO REVIEW THE INEQUITIES OF THE JURY SYSTEM. THEY NOTE THAT SOME JURORS SERVE LONGER TERMS THAN OTHERS, THAT JURY FEES VARY WIDELY, AND THAT MANY JURORS ARE CALLED TO SERVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE OTHER CITIZENS ARE NEVER CALLED. FIGURES ON MONETARY LOSSES OF JURORS ARE PROVIDED. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT JURY SELECTION PROCEDURES BE MODIFIED TO ALLOW FOR GREATER REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE PROSPECTIVE JUROR LIST AND FOR RANDOM SELECTION OF JURORS. ALTHOUGH RAISING JURY FEES TO AVOID ECONOMIC HARDSHIP IS SEEN AS A DESIRABLE ALTERNATIVE, BOTH SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY, THE AUTHORS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MANY COURTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE ADDITIONAL COSTS. REDUCING THE JURY TERMS TO AVOID ECONOMIC HARDSHIP IS SEEN AS AN EFFECTIVE AND LESS DRASTIC REMEDY. HOWEVER, SINCE THERE IS LITTLE PRESSURE BY THE PUBLIC FOR SUCH A REFORM, THE AUTHORS ARGUE THAT THIS IS A STEP THAT THE COURTS MUST TAKE ON THEIR OWN AND FOR THEIR OWN GOOD. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)