Press Releases | UCS Jury Pool News | Juror Appreciation Week

SUMMARY OF VIDEO:
Hour CNY - Jury Duty: Democracy in Action
Originally broadcast on May 2005, "HOUR CNY"/WCNY TV.

Hour CNY hosted a panel discussion with Sidney Oglesby, Onondaga County Commissioner of Jurors and James Tormey, 5th Judicial District Administrative Judge. The panelists discussed the “Year of the Juror” which is an initiative developed to educate and inform the public about jury service. Topics discussed also included recent changes in the jury system intended to increase the numbers and representative nature of potential jurors:

• no automatic exemptions - fosters a more diverse jury pool
• postponements and excuses can be granted based on individual circumstances
• time off between successive jury service increased to six years (up from four years)
  

Panel members discussed source lists that are used to randomly select potential jurors from a broad cross section of the community and basic requirements which must be met in order to serve as a juror.

You can be called for jury duty if:

• you registered to vote
• you pay taxes in Onondaga County
• have a drivers licence or registered car
• you receive welfare or unemployment benefits

What are the qualifications for jury service? A juror must be:

• United States citizen
• resident of Onondaga county
• not less than 18 years old
• not have been convicted of a felony
• be able to understand and communicate in the English language

The panel highlighted several “myths and facts” about jury service including excusals, postponements and average duration of jury service.

Why do people want to get out of jury service?

While most people who serve on a jury think it is a good experience and that their jury service is a benefit to society, many people still do not know what to expect. Jury service in now very convenient - jurors can postpone jury service for a later date. Your first request for a postponement will be granted automatically. Subsequent requests for postponement will be considered individually by the Commissioner of Jurors Office. Jurors may also request a financial or medical hardship, but jurors are normally required to provide supporting documentation to the Commissioner of Jurors Office.

How long is the average jury service?

If you are called in for jury service and are not selected for a trial, you have completed your jury obligation for at least six years. If you are selected for a trial, the average jury service in New York State is five (5) days and the average jury service in Onondaga County is three (3) days

Hour CNY - Jury Duty: Democracy in Action
Video Playtime 16:50 Min., Size 70.6MB

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