NCJ Number
84003
Date Published
1981
Length
24 pages
Annotation
The juror selection system implemented for Maine's Superior Court in July 1981 is described in procedural detail, and forms used in the procedure are provided, along with a summary of project activities during the final quarter of the project grant.
Abstract
Simulated data mailer forms were used during the first month of implementation, after which it was decided that use of data mailers was not desirable for the manual system. Procedures and forms were drafted and subsequently revised after two committee meetings and site visits to the participating courts. Jury activities continued to be monitored through analysis of the jury activity reports. In 10 of the superior courts during the months of July, August, and September, 1,991 jurors called in, of which 616 were advised that they would not be needed; this resulted in a cost savings of $12,320 in juror fees alone. A computer program was prepared by the Department of Transportation to test random selection of prospective jurors from the driver's license list. This was done to prepare for the possible submission of legislation to allow for use of this list as a source for jurors. The development of a juror orientation slide show is in progress for statewide implementation. The chief justice appointed a subcommittee from the Maine Judical Council to work toward the submission of new jury legislation. Tabular data for each of the five participating counties shows the average number of jurors brought in to select a jury, the average cost to select a jury, the percentage of the panel not used in voir dire, and the number of voir dires begun. (Author summary modified)