CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners proclaimed May as Jury Appreciation Month in honor of both the privilege and duty of jury service in our country.
Despite the continual importance of the jury system in our country, the first thought many residents have when their summons arrives is: “How can I get out of this?” Others look on jury duty as an inconvenience because it interrupts their lives. Still others are worried about the impact jury duty will have on their jobs or if they have the ability to fulfill the duty. Conversely, Americans also assume they will have the right to a trial by jury when they are involved in a criminal or civil case. Without the efforts of jurors just who would decide cases and would these decisions be consistent and just?
Trial by jury is a basic constitutional right that grew from our country’s English heritage. From the very inception Pennsylvania was affected by the decision of a jury. William Penn, Pennsylvania’s founder, was arrested in 1670 for disobeying English laws that prevented religious freedom when he spoke out during a Quaker service. Because his jurors refused to convict him the highest court in England was forced to recognize citizens have the freedom to worship as they choose, to assemble peacefully, and to speak freely. Each of these freedoms, won so long ago, are central to our democracy.
Throughout our history important legal cases have continued to change how we live: the 1920 White Sox trial drew a line in professional sports; the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire transformed workplace safety; Susan B Anthony’s trial led to voting rights for women; the Amistad case laid the ground work for the abolishment of slavery; and Mary Ellen Wilson’s child abuse case led to children’s rights and protective services. Other cases like Brown v the Board of Education, Gideon v Wainright, Miranda v Arizona, Roe v Wade, and Dred Scott v Sandford have each placed their stamp on how Americans live today.
The laws American may be narrow and flawed by external circumstances, but ultimately they prescribe how our society functions. No one, not even the President, is immune to prosecution and everyone has an equal right to a trial by a jury of their peers. A recent American Bar Association survey found that three out of four Americans believe the jury system is the best method for determining fault or innocence in criminal cases. A survey of federal judges indicated that most judges would prefer to a have jury rather than a judge decide their case if they were ever on trial.
Once summoned for jury duty, jury service provides a rare opportunity to make a difference, to serve the community, and to play an important role in obtaining justice. Jurors are simply asked to make decisions based on the evidence and existing law. In the end trial by jury is central to our democracy; a basic constitutional right that could not be sustained without the service of jurors, who in return preserve our legal system.
All About Jury Duty
1. Who is eligible for jury duty?
a. Any English speaking U.S. Citizen who is at least 18 years old
b. Jurors are made up of people from all walks of life
2. How are jurors selected?
a. Area residents are selected randomly using tax and voter rolls
3. If called will I definitely server on a jury?
a. Once summoned to court, prospective jurors may find their service is not required. Some jurors are automatically excused and others may be excused during the juror selection process. Typically four out of five prospective jurors are excused
4. How often can I be summoned for jury duty?
a. Only once a year
5. Do I have to respond if I receive a summons?
a. Yes, whether you qualify for jury service or not
b. Failure to respond could place you in contempt of court; but you do have several options if you cannot serve
6. Can I be excused from jury service?
a. Jury service is not voluntary. It is a civic duty, but the law allows you to be excused if there is undue hardship, if you don’t meet eligibility requirements, or if you are a police officer
7. Why do judges excuse residents from jury duty?
a. If you are related to or know someone involved in the case
b. If you have a financial interest, a prejudice or bias, or have formed an opinion about the case
c. If you have been convicted of a felony
8. What happens during the jury selection process?
a. A panel of prospective jurors is randomly selected and sent to the courtroom where they take an oath to tell the truth
b. From this panel, a smaller group is seated in the jury box for questioning about their qualifications and suitability by the judge and attorneys
c. Both the attorneys and the judge may eliminate jurors during this process using peremptory challenges and for cause
9. How many jurors serve on the jury?
a. 12 jurors are selected along with two alternates
10. What happens if I’m not selected to serve on jury?
a. If you are not selected you will be excused
11. What will be expected if I’m selected as a juror?
a. Jurors are asked to remain impartial during the trial, weigh the evidence, apply applicable law and attempt to reach z verdict.
b. You will be asked to consider the facts and listen to witnesses. At all times you will need to keep an open mind
c. You will also need to follow the judge’s instructions
d. Most trials last from three to five days, but some are only one day
12. During the trial, can I discuss the case with anyone?
a. No. You can’t even discuss the trial with other jurors until the jury begins deliberations at the end of the trial. Under no circumstances can you supply information about the case during the trial to outside sources
13. What happens during the trial?
a. The trial will begin with opening statements from the plaintiff’s attorney and the prosecutor, which will outline what they expect to prove during the trial
b. All sides involved in the case will offer witnesses and evidence. The attorneys involved in the case have the opportunity to question all witnesses and to present evidence, which counters evidence presented by other attorneys
c. It is the prosecutors job to prove the defendant’s guild as all people are considered innocent until proven guilty
d. At the end of the trial attorneys present their final arguments, during which they present their views of the evidence and outline what was or was not proven
e. The judge then presents instructions to the jury on applicable law and potential verdicts the jury can reach in the case
f. The jury then moves to the jury room for deliberations. A jury foreman is chosen and jury members discuss the evidence and attempts to reach a verdict
14. How does jury service affect my job?
a. Employers cannot refuse to permit jury service, nor can they harass or fire you for responding to jury service
15. Are jurors paid for their service?
a. A small amount of money is provided to jurors along with mileage