The California court system is asking employers to encourage
worker participation in jury duty.
The California court system is asking employers to encourage worker participation in jury duty.
State officials recently sent a letter to more than 10,000 executives and human resource specialists asking them to “weigh the importance of our jury system to you and your company, to your employees, to your community…”
A primary concern for many employees summoned for jury duty is “economic hardship,” according to Alex Calvo, executive officer and jury commissioner for the county Superior Courts.
County officials are not actively involved in the program, but Calvo has been encouraged to answer questions about the campaign from concerned citizens.
“The bottom line is that it’s good for businesses to have a jury system that works,” he said. “The only way it will work is if you have qualified jurors who are ready, willing and able.”
One component of the campaign is to encourage employers to consider compensating employees for jury service. Additionally, California’s one-day and one-trial systems guarantee minimal hours and days lost from work, the campaign boasts.
Calvo said only one trial in San Benito County last year lasted more than a week. Most last less than three days, and most summoned jurors complete their duty in one day, he said.
“There’s a common misconception that jury service goes on for weeks and weeks,” Calvo said.
In 2002, 9,100 jurors were summoned by the county Superior Court. Of those, 1,700 had to physically show up as potential jurors and 278 actually served on juries, according to court documents.
Most people who show up, Calvo said, “request to be excused because of economic hardship.”
Above all, he said the campaign’s purpose is to “take obstacles out of people’s way to serve on juries.”
Calvo said the Superior Court office can answer any questions, and the court offers sample jury service policies for interested employers. For more information, call 636-4057.
