|
13
|
COURTS SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO UTILIZE JURORS EFFICIENTLY. THEY SHOULD AVOID CALLING MORE CITIZENS TO THE COURT FACILITY FOR JURY SERVICE THAN NEEDED.
|
Excuse Citizens
Not Needed
|
Prospective jurors find it frustrating to spend the day sitting idly at the court facility only to be eventually informed that their services are not needed. Jurors should not be required to report to the court facility unless there is a high likelihood that they will be empanelled that day. Once called to the court facility, citizens not needed for a jury panel should be excused as soon as possible.
|
Maximum
Panel Sizes
|
Proper panel sizes can be calculated on the basis of past experience to ensure that they are large enough to provide jurors and alternates while allowing for the proscribed number of challenges. The determination of appropriate maximum panel sizes can result in significant cost savings for the courts.
|
|
|
The Commission also recommends that, where possible, jurors should be pooled and drawn for all court levels. Pooling courts should then ensure that each citizen reporting is assigned for jury selection before any prospective juror is sent a second time.
|
|
|
References:
G. Thomas Munsterman, Jury System Management, pp. 101-106 (National Center for State Courts, 1996) (the determination of proper panel sizes can generate a great amount of jury systems savings).
Washington Jury Standard 12(4) (3rd ed. 1997) (The efficient use of jurors. A number of measures are suggested to monitor this function).
Washington Jury Standard 13 (3rd ed. 1997).
|
