There are more than 80,000 jury trials in this country every year, at which an estimated one million Americans serve as jurors. More than five times that number show up at their local courthouse to report for jury duty. Besides voting, few activities in the life of the typical American offer this kind of direct contact with our democracy. The time has come to give the American jury its due, to begin paying closer attention to ways we can support the juror so that each empanelled group will be a true representation of the community, have the tools and processes necessary to receive evidence, deliberate constructively, and deliver a just verdict confidently, and be accorded the respect and treatment that is commensurate with the gravity of the role and responsibility.

Contact: Chris Tozer - P: (312) 988-6128 EMail :ctozer@staff.abanet.org