NCJ Number
197607
Journal
The Justice System Journal Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 221-234
Editor(s)
Susette Talarico
Date Published
2002
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article investigates how attitudes toward jury service vary by age and those factors that might lie behind age group differences (socioeconomic resources, life-cycle stage, or levels of civic engagement).
Abstract
Considerable research and advocacy have addressed the representativeness of the jury wheel and those chosen from it. The largest emphasis has been on socioeconomic and ethnic factors. However, this article addresses age as one background variable that deserves more research attention. Attitudes toward service may be differentially distributed by juror age providing another challenge to attempts to assemble a representative jury. Chronological age is complex and multidimensional relating to many life-cycle factors affecting a willingness to serve. This article sought to establish whether and how attitudes toward jury duty differed by age group. In addition, factors were investigated into what might lie behind age group differences, such as socioeconomic resources, life-cycle stage, or levels of civic engagement and whether age continues to affect attitudes toward jury duty even after these factors are controlled. Data were drawn from individuals reporting for jury service in Leon County, Florida district court on 14 different days in 1998. Study results demonstrated that age significantly influenced affect toward jury service above and beyond prior service, life circumstance, life-cycle factors, socioeconomic status, and engagement in other civic activities. Young adults were more negative about jury service causing concern for acquiring more representative juries. Courts need to determine whether they need to change their juror treatment or summoning techniques. References