Some points about the jury duty information page on my county's website
This topic is connected to the previous topic that discusses the jury summons and enclosed information that is sent out by the county in which I presently live—Wake County (Raleigh), NC. Please read the previous topic (in two parts) prior to reading this section. Note that the information in this section is based on the jury duty information page on my county's website as of October 2015. I will update this topic as needed.
The page begins with, “The jury system is core to our country’s system of justice. Jurors play an important role in assuring fairness within the courts. We understand that serving on a jury takes time out of citizen’s [sic] every day lives. We appreciate the sacrifice that individuals make to fulfill their duty to serve on a jury.”
I will begin with the following question: Why is this text not included on the printed jury duty summons or on the information sheet that is included? It is common for courts to complain about the challenges they face in getting people to comply with their jury summonses, yet such a friendly and motivating piece of writing is only to be found on a government website which many prospective jurors will not bother (or in some cases be able) to visit.
Some logistical information from the summons is repeated on the website, and there is a link to a page of Jury Duty FAQs. On the FAQ page, the first thing we see is the name and photo of the County Clerk of Court. I have never met her, and have absolutely no idea who she is or what her job description is, but at least from her photo she certainly seems very friendly.
Some of what is on the FAQ page is the same information that appears on the juror summons or enclosed information sheet, but it is good that the information is available to people who have concerns about receiving a summons and/or serving. Below, I focus on the information on the FAQ page that does not appear on the juror summons or enclosed information sheet, or that supplements the information included on those documents.
Of greatest significance is the FAQ, “Do I have to respond to the jury summons?” The juror summons only includes a generic and vague threat which was discussed in the previous topic. On the FAQ page, the answer is the slightly more specific, “Yes! A jury summons is an official court summons, and failure to report as required could mean that the court could hold you in contempt and/or impose a $50 fine for not responding to a jury summons.” There is a lot to be said about such a response, including its impact on juror turnout as well as the public's perception of the government. The matter is revisited later in the book.
Another FAQ on the page is, “Will my employer fire me if I serve as a juror?” The answer provided is, “It is against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee because they serve as a juror. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving.” Of significance is that there is not the slightest mention of how the government will assist in this matter should such be necessary. This matter was discussed previously in the book.
Another FAQ on the page is, “What should I bring with me to the courthouse?” The juror summons only states to bring your summons, parking ticket from the parking deck (disregarding the fact that a significant segment of the population cannot afford and/or is unable to drive), and driver's license. The answer on the FAQ page does not reference these items at all, which is odd, but at least treats jurors as human beings with the suggestion to “bring a book or other reading materials, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy your time.” As an aside, someone needs to tell the court system that it's the year 2015, and that these days people use smartphones and not stationary, and prefer “match-three-gems (or candies)” puzzle video games on their smartphones over crossword puzzles. It then goes on to describe the amenities of the jury assembly room which I must say are quite impressive. The details are not significant, but again, I cannot help but wonder why the county would not include these points on the information sheet that is included with the juror summons.
Another FAQ on the page is, “How will I know what to do as a juror? The answer provided is, “When you report to the courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. Then all jurors present will take an oath as jurors. If you are seated as a juror, you will also be given a red juror badge to wear until you are released from jury duty by the judge. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror.” Note that unlike many other counties, there is no link to a juror handbook, nor even any mention of such. This topic is explored later in the book.
The final FAQ on the page is, “Why are some jurors dismissed and not allowed to sit for a trial?” The answer provided is, “When your name is randomly drawn to take a numbered seat in the jury box at the start of a trial, the attorneys will ask you questions about yourself. If you know the parties to the case or any of the court officials, or if your answers to questions lead the attorneys or the judge to feel that you could not be objective in considering the evidence in the trial, you will be dismissed with the court's thanks.”
It is important that the court include this question and answer on their website since some people may “take personally” the fact that they were not selected for a given case. They may feel that the court is discriminating against them, or is in some way passing judgment on their intelligence level and/or their ability to be fair. Having said that, the answer that is provided to the question serves to support my opinion (previously discussed) that there is no point in “forcing” people to show up for jury duty if they don't want to be there, only to have them wait patiently until they have the opportunity to get themselves rejected for any or all of the cases being heard that day by feigning bias in believable fashion. In essence, the FAQ actually tells such people what to do and what will work if they don't want to serve on a given case, and even states that any such dismissal will be done in the spirit of gratitude and on good terms.
One of the main points that I want to make in this section is that I do not understand how these FAQs and other information found on the court website are not included in the envelope with the juror summons. Why isn't the captioned photo of the aforementioned “nice lady clerk" included in an effort to portray the government as more “human?” Perhaps a small percentage of recipients might say, “She seems pleasant. Maybe jury duty won't be that bad. I'll give it a try this time.” Why doesn't the enclosed information sheet describe all of the amenities in the jury waiting room? Many people will throw their summons away without ever bothering to get more information on the website, and of course a small segment of the population does not have convenient access to the Internet. Why not include on the information sheet every possible motivation and incentive to serve? Why not include the FAQs so that people who are apprehensive may feel less inclined to ignore the summons out of fear or anxiety?
Some of the points made in this section are revisited in the topic of easy things the government can do to improve the response rate to jury duty summonses.
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The page begins with, “The jury system is core to our country’s system of justice. Jurors play an important role in assuring fairness within the courts. We understand that serving on a jury takes time out of citizen’s [sic] every day lives. We appreciate the sacrifice that individuals make to fulfill their duty to serve on a jury.”
I will begin with the following question: Why is this text not included on the printed jury duty summons or on the information sheet that is included? It is common for courts to complain about the challenges they face in getting people to comply with their jury summonses, yet such a friendly and motivating piece of writing is only to be found on a government website which many prospective jurors will not bother (or in some cases be able) to visit.
Some logistical information from the summons is repeated on the website, and there is a link to a page of Jury Duty FAQs. On the FAQ page, the first thing we see is the name and photo of the County Clerk of Court. I have never met her, and have absolutely no idea who she is or what her job description is, but at least from her photo she certainly seems very friendly.
Some of what is on the FAQ page is the same information that appears on the juror summons or enclosed information sheet, but it is good that the information is available to people who have concerns about receiving a summons and/or serving. Below, I focus on the information on the FAQ page that does not appear on the juror summons or enclosed information sheet, or that supplements the information included on those documents.
Of greatest significance is the FAQ, “Do I have to respond to the jury summons?” The juror summons only includes a generic and vague threat which was discussed in the previous topic. On the FAQ page, the answer is the slightly more specific, “Yes! A jury summons is an official court summons, and failure to report as required could mean that the court could hold you in contempt and/or impose a $50 fine for not responding to a jury summons.” There is a lot to be said about such a response, including its impact on juror turnout as well as the public's perception of the government. The matter is revisited later in the book.
Another FAQ on the page is, “Will my employer fire me if I serve as a juror?” The answer provided is, “It is against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee because they serve as a juror. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving.” Of significance is that there is not the slightest mention of how the government will assist in this matter should such be necessary. This matter was discussed previously in the book.
Another FAQ on the page is, “What should I bring with me to the courthouse?” The juror summons only states to bring your summons, parking ticket from the parking deck (disregarding the fact that a significant segment of the population cannot afford and/or is unable to drive), and driver's license. The answer on the FAQ page does not reference these items at all, which is odd, but at least treats jurors as human beings with the suggestion to “bring a book or other reading materials, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy your time.” As an aside, someone needs to tell the court system that it's the year 2015, and that these days people use smartphones and not stationary, and prefer “match-three-gems (or candies)” puzzle video games on their smartphones over crossword puzzles. It then goes on to describe the amenities of the jury assembly room which I must say are quite impressive. The details are not significant, but again, I cannot help but wonder why the county would not include these points on the information sheet that is included with the juror summons.
Another FAQ on the page is, “How will I know what to do as a juror? The answer provided is, “When you report to the courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. Then all jurors present will take an oath as jurors. If you are seated as a juror, you will also be given a red juror badge to wear until you are released from jury duty by the judge. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror.” Note that unlike many other counties, there is no link to a juror handbook, nor even any mention of such. This topic is explored later in the book.
The final FAQ on the page is, “Why are some jurors dismissed and not allowed to sit for a trial?” The answer provided is, “When your name is randomly drawn to take a numbered seat in the jury box at the start of a trial, the attorneys will ask you questions about yourself. If you know the parties to the case or any of the court officials, or if your answers to questions lead the attorneys or the judge to feel that you could not be objective in considering the evidence in the trial, you will be dismissed with the court's thanks.”
It is important that the court include this question and answer on their website since some people may “take personally” the fact that they were not selected for a given case. They may feel that the court is discriminating against them, or is in some way passing judgment on their intelligence level and/or their ability to be fair. Having said that, the answer that is provided to the question serves to support my opinion (previously discussed) that there is no point in “forcing” people to show up for jury duty if they don't want to be there, only to have them wait patiently until they have the opportunity to get themselves rejected for any or all of the cases being heard that day by feigning bias in believable fashion. In essence, the FAQ actually tells such people what to do and what will work if they don't want to serve on a given case, and even states that any such dismissal will be done in the spirit of gratitude and on good terms.
One of the main points that I want to make in this section is that I do not understand how these FAQs and other information found on the court website are not included in the envelope with the juror summons. Why isn't the captioned photo of the aforementioned “nice lady clerk" included in an effort to portray the government as more “human?” Perhaps a small percentage of recipients might say, “She seems pleasant. Maybe jury duty won't be that bad. I'll give it a try this time.” Why doesn't the enclosed information sheet describe all of the amenities in the jury waiting room? Many people will throw their summons away without ever bothering to get more information on the website, and of course a small segment of the population does not have convenient access to the Internet. Why not include on the information sheet every possible motivation and incentive to serve? Why not include the FAQs so that people who are apprehensive may feel less inclined to ignore the summons out of fear or anxiety?
Some of the points made in this section are revisited in the topic of easy things the government can do to improve the response rate to jury duty summonses.
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