No-show jurors a concern for courts

Over the last 12 months, more than 24,000 people were summoned.

By RICH CHOLODOFSKY
TribLive

Westmoreland County court officials said a growing number of residents are ignoring summons for jury duty.

“It’s not only people who don’t show up but people who don’t even fill out questionnaires,” said Court Administrator Amy DeMatt.

The county summons hundreds of jurors every month for criminal trials that are typically conducted the first week of every month and two weeks of civil trials for two weeks every other month.

Over the last 12 months, more than 24,000 jurors were summoned and 47 trials were convened at the courthouse in Greensburg.

Criminal trials account for most of those proceedings as just four civil cases went before a jury last year.

The county called in potential jurors 33 days last year.

As many as 200 potential jurors might be summoned to appear for the start of a criminal trial term.

An average of 23 potential jurors were no-shows each of those days, DeMatt said. During the first eight months in this year, that number decreased to an average of 18 per day.

“We want to get a cross-section of the county, but we have too many people who don’t show up and don’t even fill out the questionnaires,” DeMatt said.

Officials concede jury duty might be a burden for some. It’s a job that pays just $9 a day for the first three days of work and $25 daily for longer trials. It requires most people to take a day or more away from their jobs and family obligations.

Officials warned that a person who ignores

a jury summons could be brought before a judge for a contempt of court hearing.

It’s a step that local officials have not taken in years and is likely only a last resort.

“It’s not on the table to resume warrants at this time,” DeMatt said.

Prospective jurors are culled through state and county records using property tax information and voter registration lists. They are initially contacted exclusively through mail and asked to fill out a questionnaire used to ascertain their qualifications to serve on a case.

The county recently set up an online portal to submit juror questionnaires. A link to the portal can be found on the county’s website. Questionnaires can also be returned by mail, with postage paid by the county.

Jury service center coordinator Nancy Murtland said about half of the those summoned for jury duty in Westmoreland County fill out the online questionnaire. Online registration can save the county more than $10,000 in postage expenses, officials said.

Exempt from jury duty are those who are active armed forces service members; reported for jury service within the last three years; have immediate family relationships to victims of criminal homicide; have prior service on a statewide investigating grand jury; residents age 75 and older; and others with hardship claims.

Jury duty can be rescheduled due to conflicts such as vacations and other obligations, Murtland said.