NEW VERDICT ON JUROR WILLINGNESS

• NCJ Number: 41701
• Journal: Judicature Volume: 60 Issue: 10 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 496-501
• Author(s): J P RICHERT
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: American Judicature Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE QUESTIONS THE TRADITIONAL NOTION THAT JURY DUTY IS AN INHERENT OBLIGATION OF CITIZENSHIP, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH JURORS ARE EXPECTED TO SERVE.

Abstract

THREE MAJOR THEMES ARE DEVELOPED IN THE ARTICLE. FIRST, QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF THE JUROR EXIT QUESTIONNAIRE USED IN A PREVIOUS STUDY OF JUROR WILLINGNESS ARE RAISED. DATA WHICH CONTRADICT THE KEY CONCLUSIONS OF THAT STUDY ARE PRODUCED, AND COMPARED TO SOME FINDINGS OF SIMILAR STUDIES IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY. THE BROADER ASPECTS OF JURY DUTY ARE ANALYZED IN LIGHT OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT JUROR RESISTANCE TO SERVING IN THE COURTS IS REAL, AND THAT A MAJOR CONCERN IS THE INADEQUACY OF FINANCIAL COMPENSATION. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT RECENT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS WARRANT CHANGES IN THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH JURORS ARE EXPECTED TO SERVE.(AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...EB