NCJ Number
126858
Date Published
1989
Length
87 pages
Annotation
This project identifies and documents jury system software developed for microcomputers and categories these systems so that other interested courts might benefit from these innovations.
Abstract
Jury system automations can be characterized as falling into three levels: (1) the simple automation of the source list, the random selection from that list, the generation of qualification questionnaires and summons, and the payment of the jurors when their service is completed; (2) the complexities of the management of each term of jury service, involving postponing prospective jurors from term to term and pursuing those not responding; and (3) all of the functions of the first two and, in addition, supports the daily management of the pool of prospective jurors, the development of management statistics and reports, and the use of advanced technologies such as bar codes and machine scanning of forms. It was found that the microcomputer environment (1) is an excellent base for the development and experimentation with systems which are later created on mainframes and (2) can be tailored to the changing needs of the user because of the easy accessibility of the software to nontechnical staff. 29 figures, 13 footnotes, and appendix