Last Wednesday, 92 people were summoned to appear in Philadelphia's revived Juror Scofflaw Court to explain why they had not reported two or more times when called for jury duty. It's a problem that Philadelphia court officials say has reached a crisis point: of almost 700,000 to be called for jury duty this year, only about 13 percent will show up.
Probably the best illustration of the problem is that a third of those ordered to appear in scofflaw court – you guessed it – did not show up. Warrants for their arrest have been issued and when they next appear, in custody, they could be fined up to $500 and spend up to 10 days in jail for contempt of court. Court officials hope the revival of a tactic last used 14 years ago, will encourage people to recognize that reporting for jury duty is not just their duty as U.S. citizens but in their best interest.
Of course, some people don't need an arrest warrant. They were lauded May 15 during a "Juror Appreciation Day" by former Governor Edward G. Rendell; Philadelphia Municipal Court President Judge Marsha H. Neifield; Common Pleas Court President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper; several other judges and members of various legal organizations.
Lynn A. Marks, executive director of the reform group Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, acknowledged that "people are rarely excited about jury duty because of a combination of negative cultural messages, the inconvenience of taking time out of one's daily life, and the abysmally low juror compensation."
Although court officials are trying to make jury service more "juror-friendly," Marks told jurors at the program that people should also understand that jury duty is "a privilege and burden of citizenship" and that there is a "need for all of us to step up and do our duty when we are called."
As judges usually remind jurors, since the draft ended and military service became voluntary jury service is now the only duty U.S. citizens are call on to perform.
Rendell, a former Philadelphia District Attorney, told the jurors that, in addition to making it possible for the American justice system to function, jury service "is a fascinating experience that every citizen should have."