Fines, warrants issued to jurors who skip duty

THE PHILADELPHIA courts want potential jurors who try to escape their civic duty to know they'll end up on the other side of the courtroom.

Yesterday, Juror Scofflaw Court - which was revived this spring after more than a decade since its last use - saw a group of 52 jurors who neglected to appear for court twice.

"We have so many people that don't show up," said jury commissioner Daniel Rendine. "It's becoming a major problem."

More than a third of all Philadelphia residents summoned for duty don't respond.

It's an issue that has forced the courts to reduce its jury pool and it costs the city hundreds of thousands of dollars to mail multiple summonses, Rendine said.

The fate of the jurors were in the hands of Judge Jeffrey Minehart, who could decide to excuse the juror, grant a fee or incarerate if needed.

Out of the 52, about 10 were exempt from having to pay a $50 fee but were granted a new date for duty. One was exempt for military duty. Eighteen failed to show, which Minehart called "outrageous." He issued bench warrants in their names.

Minehart heard the case of four who challenged the court's decision to fine.

Yasir Zarif El, 58, said he didn't respond to the summons because it featured his name entirely in capital letters - which the court noted all summons are. He claimed that since his name is stylized differently, the summons wasn't addressed to him.

He also called the juror qualification questionnaire "innapropriate."

Minehart suggested the name on the summons be rewritten. Zarif El refused, and then Minehart excused him from duty.

"We don't think you belong on a jury," Minehart said. "We don't want you on jury. We want good citizens on jury."

Herbert Edgerson III, 36, was issued a $100 fine and a new date for duty after he claimed he didn't know when he was scheduled to appear.

Rendine said that although it's too early to tell the full effects of the court, he has noticed an increase in phone calls of people checking in to see when they're scheduled for duty.

"There is no reason why neighbors and citizens have to come in when you don't," Minehart told the courtroom. "It's tough, but that's what being a good citizen is."