|
.........
The High Price of Jury Trials
- Parade Magazine -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |
|
|
The High Price of Jury Trials - Parade Magazine
Parade Magazine
by Sharon Male
January 17, 2010
Serving on a jury is a civic duty, but it can also impose financial hardship. A Minnesota plumber was jailed recently after telling a judge he couldn't miss more than one day of work for jury duty. Judges in many jurisdictions report a recent increase in the number of people who say they can't afford to serve or who simply don't show up, causing cases to be delayed or even dismissed.
Matt Fullenbaum of the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) notes that even before the recession, it was tough to fill jury boxes. “In some jurisdictions, you have no-show rates of up to 50%,” he says. |
| |
ATRA wants more states to follow Arizona's lead, where jurors are paid up to $300 per day for trials lasting longer than five days. The money comes from a nominal fee charged to plaintiffs when they file cases. (In some states, jurors are paid less than $20 per day, regardless of the length of the trial.)
Greg Hurley of the Center for Jury Studies notes that states with less onerous requirements have less trouble finding jurors. “In West Virginia, you could be put on a panel for four months,” he says. “Other states have one-day, one-trial arrangements, where you show up once and, if you're not selected for a jury, you've fulfilled your requirement.”
Fullenbaum says that states should make it easier for citizens to serve. “The jury system is a cornerstone of our democracy,” he notes. “It's important that everyone answer the call.” |
|
|
|
|
|
