NCJ Number
179294
Date Published
1998
Length
159 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the relationship between courts’ juror summoning and juror treatment policies and citizens’ attitudes towards jury service.
Abstract
Most citizens would welcome the opportunity to serve as jurors if the mechanics of the selection processes were made easier and more understandable and if courts worked with employers and legislators to obtain appropriate compensation for jurors. The report presents recommendations, including: (1) Courts should enforce summonses; (2) Citizens should know how to defer or be excused from jury service; (3) Outreach efforts should emphasize the ability of anyone to serve competently; (4) Outreach efforts should also emphasize that those citizens who have substantial knowledge of the law will not be automatically excused; (5) A jury summons should be clear and non-threatening; (6) Courts should encourage employers to compensate employees for jury service time; (7) Courts and legislatures should work together to enact jury reforms; (8) Child-care should be a priority of courts; (9) Jurors should be paid more; (10) The courthouse and its neighborhood should be more juror-friendly; and (11) Jury reforms should be implemented as a package. Notes, figures, tables, appendixes, bibliography