Miscellaneous

Why Does Franklin County Heart Jury Service?

By Anne Skove, Esq.

Recently we posted a happy note from a juror who had served in Franklin County, Ohio (Columbus).

Why is she so happy? Franklin County Municipal Court Jury Administrator Tom Shields explains:

I started implementing changes [to the jury system] back in 1985 due to the fact that only 23% of the jurors summoned were actually reporting for service, and therefore the demographic representation was obviously not where it should be. We knew we had to change, but frankly were not sure what to do to correct this problem.

This is a typical jury administration problem with no easy short-term solution. Shields went straight to the jurors -- to find out what they thought might help us to improve.

The jurors' verdict? Actually, the solutions were there, and according to Shields, were simple and easy to incorporate. For example:

• Reporting times: Jurors have the option of checking in between 8 and 10:30 a.m. or at 1:30 p.m. If they are empaneled, the judge lets them know when to reconvene. Before this change, jurors had to report by 9:00 a.m. with no accommodation as to when they were actually needed. The change is popular -- 40% of the jurors report at the 1:30 slot. Unless assigned to voir dire, they can be on their merry way by 3:00 p.m.


• Guest speakers and tours: Q&A sessions with local government luminaries such as the county treasurer, county auditor (so he's more than just a name on a gas pump to the public), and a magistrate are popular. Jurors may also tour the state supreme court, statehouse, and jail.


• Current DVDs: Shields says they pick their entertainment. Great way to pass the time!

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on May 24, 2010 (boomark / email).