July has been designated “Juror Appreciation Month” by the Michigan Supreme Court, to recognize the many Michigan citizens who serve as jurors each year — and to encourage others to answer the call to jury service.
Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. said that the court chose July, the month in which the United States celebrates its independence, “to underscore the importance of jury service in our constitutional republic.”
In a resolution signed by all the justices, the court proclaimed: “The right to jury trial is one of the fundamental values of American citizenship; jury service, like voting, is a direct participation in democracy.”
For many people, Young said, “their first thought on getting a summons for jury duty is ‘How can I get out of it?’ But that’s profoundly unfortunate.
“Most people find jury service to be a very rewarding, interesting experience. More importantly, the people whose cases come before juries are depending on their fellow citizens’ participation.” Juries decide factual issues that affect the liberty and property of others, Young said.
“This is a critically important role,” he said, “but we would not have juries without the many people who generously give of their time to serve.”
Some facts about jury service:
• Who gets called?
U.S. citizens at least 18 years old who are residents of the court district to which they are summoned. The jury pool for each court comes from a list of licensed drivers and state ID card holders in the court’s district. Those who have been convicted of felony crimes are not eligible for jury service.
• Are there exemptions? People over 70 may request an age exemption from jury service. And while you can be called for duty more than once, you cannot serve on a jury more than once in a 12-month period.
• What’s required?
Jurors must “be able to communicate in the English language” and “be physically and mentally able to carry out the functions of a juror.”
• What does it pay?
Under Michigan law, jurors receive not less than $25 per day and $12.50 per 1/2 half day for the first day of service. For each day after that, jurors receive not less than $40 per day and $20 per half day. Jurors also receive mileage for their trips to and from court. If you report for duty but do not get on a jury, you are paid for the day.
• What if I don’t show up? You can be held in contempt of court, fined, or even jailed.
• What about work? By law, an employer cannot fire, or discipline or threaten such action, against an employee who is summoned for jury duty or chosen to serve on a jury, even for a long trial. Nor can employers force a worker to go beyond normal hours to make up for time spent on jury service. An employer who takes these actions could be guilty of a misdemeanor or held in contempt of court.
• What’s an acceptable reason to be excused from jury service? That’s up to the court, but there are a number of grounds for excusing a person from jury service or postponing the service.
“Hardship” is one, and that could include lack of transportation, excessive travel, extreme financial burden, undue risk to physical property, and being over 70. “Hardship” also includes situations where your absence from your normal routine would affect another’s care or pose a risk to public health or safety. A request for a medical related exemption requires a letter from a doctor. A full-time student who believes that jury service will conflict with his or her classes must submit a copy of the class schedule.
• If I serve on a jury, can I talk about the case afterwards?
Once the judge discharges you from service, you may discuss the case with others, although you don’t have to discuss it. Attorneys in the case often find it helpful to talk to the jurors afterwards. In a high-profile case, the media will also want to talk to jurors.
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