California Celebrates Juror Appreciation Week, May 13-17, 2013

This year, California celebrates the 16th anniversary of Juror Appreciation Week. In 1998, the California Legislature designated the second full week in May each year to honor the important contributions of citizens who devote their time and effort in "making the cherished right of trial by jury a reality."  (News Release)

There have been numerous positive changes to jury service in California over the years. Two notable improvements are the one-day or one-trial system that makes jury service more manageable, and plain-language jury instructions that make jury service more understandable.

Each year, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the superior courts team up to recognize the millions of Californians who answer the call to serve their communities and put into practice the fundamental American ideal of justice.

Why celebrate Juror Appreciation Week?

• To recognize jurors for their outstanding and important service;
• To honor the relationships between the courts and their local communities; and
• To join with the American Bar Association and other state courts in celebrating jurors.

Why participate in jury service?
You have the opportunity:

• To serve your local community;
• To contribute to our American system of justice; and
• To directly affect a litigant’s life by weighing evidence and taking part in a trial.

Did you know?
In FY 2009-10 statewide, Californians participated in jury service in the following ways:

• Approximately 10 million people were summoned to jury service;
• More than 3 million prospective jurors were eligible and available to serve;
• Over 80% of those who served completed service in one day; and
• About 200,000 jurors were sworn in as trial jurors.

Other Resources

• To learn more jury service, go to Jury Service Basics
• To get information and instructions for responding to your juror summons, read Court and Community
• The Joy of Jury Duty The Altlantic, May 3, 2013

Thank you for your service!