NCJ Number
185304
Journal
Judicature Volume: 83 Issue: 6 Dated: May-June 2000 Pages: 304-310
Editor(s)
David Richert
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This survey examined attitudes toward jury duty among summoned citizens who were qualified to serve but tried to excuse or postpone their service, who had failed to appear to a previous summons, and who reported for jury duty without objections.
Abstract
The survey was conducted between March and June 1998 in an urban area in North Florida. The court serving this area heard 5 cases per day and summoned 1,300 jurors monthly for civil and criminal cases from an annually updated driver's license and identification card list. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to 1,314 persons as they entered the jury assembly room, and 1,071 were completed for a response rate of 82 percent. The 10-minute survey included items about prior jury experience, demographics, beliefs about the jury selection process, why an excuse or a postponement was requested, and feelings about jury service. Less than one-third of those surveyed said they enjoyed jury duty, were glad to be called, or anticipated jury service. Nearly half endorsed optional jury service or felt that jury service was inconvenient, and only 13 percent were satisfied with jury pay. On the other hand, more than 60 percent endorsed civic responsibility, felt they could learn from jury duty, rejected the concept of professional jurors, or agreed juries represented the voice of the public. Only 30 percent felt upset to receive a summons. Specific factors associated with jury summons responses and attitudes toward jury service are discussed, as well as implications of the findings for implementing court reform and increasing juror yield. 10 footnotes and 4 tables