NCJ Number
55108
Date Published
1978
Length
65 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTIONS OF JURY SELECTION, JUROR UTILIZATION, AND PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD JURY DUTY ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS FINAL REPORT OF THE JURY MANAGEMENT PROJECT OF THE SUMMIT COUNTY (OHIO) COMMON PLEAS COURT.
Abstract
A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE JURY PROCESS IN SUMMIT COUNTY. IT IS FOUND THAT ALL GEOGRAPHIC AREAS ARE WELL REPRESENTED IN SELECTING JURORS BUT THAT THE VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS DO NOT REPRESENT THE YOUNG AND MINORITIES SUFFICIENTLY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT DRIVER'S LICENSE REGISTRATIONS BE USED TO AUGMENT THE VOTER LISTS. AS PART OF AN EARLIER SURVEY OF JUROR OPINIONS, PROJECT FUNDS WERE USED TO IMPROVE JUROR FACILITIES (REMODELED REST ROOMS, BETTER FURNITURE, MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS, ETC.). IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ATTENTION CONTINUE TO BE PAID TO THESE AMENITIES. THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT MOST JURORS DO NOT LOSE WAGES AS THE RESULT OF JURY SERVICE BECAUSE MOST OF THE LARGE EMPLOYERS HAVE A JURY PAY POLICY. LACK OF PARKING NEAR THE COURTHOUSE IS A PROBLEM. A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HALF PRICE FARES FOR JURORS HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL, BUT MANY STILL DRIVE. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT MOST VOIR DIRES START BETWEEN 9:30 AND 10:30 IN THE MORNING. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MORE AFTERNOON STARTS BE SCHEDULED TO BETTER UTILIZE JUROR TIME. IT WAS FOUND THAT NUMBER OF WEEKS SERVED DID NOT AFFECT VERDICTS. A NUMBER OF CLERICAL AND PROCEDURAL CHANGES ARE RECOMMENDED. A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE PROJECT WAS TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF JURY DUTY. A JUROR ORIENTATION FILM, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, AND AN ACTIVE SPEAKERS' BUREAU HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THIS END. NUMEROUS TABLES CONTAIN STATISTICS RELATING TO NUMBERS OF QUALIFIED JURORS, JUROR 'DROPOUTS,' PANEL SIZES, AND OTHER PROJECT FINDINGS. (GLR)