NCJ Number
38307
Journal
Judicature Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1976) Pages: 164-171
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
BASED ON RESPONSES TO A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF 3000 JURORS WHO HAD RECENTLY SERVED IN 18 DIFFERENT COURTS, THIS ARTICLE CONTENDS THAT JURORS VIEW JURY DUTY AS A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY RATHER THAN AN ONEROUS BURDEN.
Abstract
ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THOSE RESPONDING WERE FAVORABLY IMPRESSED WITH JURY DUTY, OR FELT MORE FAVORABLY TOWARD IT THAN THEY HAD BEFORE THEIR SERVICE. THE THREE THINGS THAT VENIREMEN APPEARED TO DISLIKE MOST WERE LONG PERIODS SPENT WAITING IN THE JURY LOUNGE, NOT BEING SELECTED AS A SWORN JUROR IN AT LEAST ONE TRIAL, AND LONG TERMS OF JURY SERVICE. FACTORS HAVING A NEUTRAL OR NEGLIGIBLE EFFECT ON JUROR ATTITUDES WERE THE SIZE OF THE JURY FEE AND WHETHER A JUROR LOST INCOME AS A RESULT OF SERVING. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE JURY SYSTEM WITHOUT COST TO THE COURTS AND WITHOUT DISRUPTION OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESSES INCLUDE SHORTENING THE LENGTH OF SERVICE, INVOLVING MORE PEOPLE, CUTTING DOWN ON WAITING TIME, AND SEEING THAT EACH JUROR GETS A CHANCE TO SERVE.