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Jury duty is everyone’s responsibility
Staff Report
Published December 27, 2008
From the law enforcement agents whose job it is to catch suspected criminals, to the prosecutors who bring the charges to the judges who mete out sentences in the cases of guilt.
No part of the picture is more important than the juries who sit to hear all the evidence and decide on guilt or innocence.
The role of juries in our criminal justice system is perhaps the most important role in the battle for justice.
There are those who sit back and complain about the justice system and the sentences meted out, and often it is those same people who fight to get out of serving on a jury, sometimes just not showing up when called to be on a jury panel.
There are those who claim any excuse to get out of serving on the jury.
Many contend they do not have the time to take away from their daily lives.
Yet, they complain the justice system is too weak or too strong in cases.
It is the responsibility of every adult resident to show up for duty after being called.
Most never are picked for a sitting jury, but those who do are taking on one of the most important roles in their lives.
As 6th District Judge Jim Lovett said serving on a jury may be the second most important calling, just behind defending the country in the military.
Yet, it is a calling many people continue to ignore, avoid or otherwise evade.
Just showing up for a jury panel can have a powerful effect on the justice system.
Defendants who see and hear the proceedings to seat a jury often decide to accept plea offers, eliminating the need for the jury trial.
Just showing up for jury duty can speed up the justice system.
The justice system is only as strong as the jurors who serve, but it can be weakened by those who refuse to serve.
Don’t be one of those who weakens the jury system.
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