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Thursday, November 15, 2007
Ind. Courts - Yet more on "Marion Superior Court judges plan to start cracking down on prospective jurors who don't show up on the days they're assigned"
Updating this ILB entry from Nov. 5th, Jon Murray of the Indianapolis Star reports today under the heading: "Scofflaws of Marion County jury duty begin to show up." Some quotes:
The 31-year-old Indianapolis man sat in a courtroom Wednesday after receiving a new summons threatening to hold him in contempt. Similar notices went out to 325 people who failed to appear for jury duty during one week in October after a new crackdown by Marion Superior Court.Nearly 100 were there Wednesday to face a judge and choose between further contempt proceedings or a new assignment between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
All chose a second shot at jury duty, except for a handful who were excused because they are not U.S. citizens or don’t speak English.
The get-tough policy comes after years of lax enforcement and dwindling turnout. Fewer than half of those called show up on a typical day. Wednesday’s hearing was the first en-masse summoning of scofflaws in memory. * * *
Court administrators are keeping lists of jury no-shows, with the possibility for a repeat of today’s hearings if attendance doesn’t improve. So far, after an initial uptick last month, it hasn’t.
Arrest warrants could go out next week for dozens of people who didn’t show up to Wednesday’s hearing.
Preliminary tallies show 94 attended, and another three dozen called in advance to arrange a new assignment. Still unknown was how many summonses — sent through certified mail — were undeliverable or had incorrect addresses. About 200 have been confirmed delivered, Stoner said.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 15, 2007 01:24 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts