The Verdict: Great Idea : Courts should keep exploring ways to make jury service less burdensome

Serving as a juror is a civic duty that almost everyone dreads--not because of the work itself but because of the waiting most jurors endure, and the inconvenience it poses for them and their employers. That’s one reason counties are trying new ways to fill jury pools. Many of these systems have an added benefit of saving money.

Such is the case with a new system, being launched in Orange County on Jan. 4, that will release jurors who have not been placed on a panel after one day. Similar to a program in operation for a decade in San Bernardino County, the “one-day, one-trial” system will remove uncertainty for jurors. No longer will they have to hang around waiting for days--usually in vain--to be placed on a panel. Nor will they have to remain on call on other days.

Los Angeles County tried a “one day, one trial” pilot project many years ago only to find it was too difficult to keep a system of its size supplied with the huge number of jurors that must be on tap to fill the county’s courtrooms. The county in October instead instituted another kind of reform that is working well: reducing the term of jury service from 10 days to five.

In less massive jurisdictions, the “one day, one trial” system can be instituted more easily. The motivation to institute it now actually comes from a desire to reduce court expenses. In fact, if there is an up side to the crisis, it is government’s willingness to try new ways to save money.

The “one day, one trial” system actually costs more money to administer because of additional paperwork and mailings. Savings are realized from not paying jurors the normal $5 fee plus mileage on their first day of service; only 15%-20% are asked to serve a second day or more. Counties have found prospective jurors more than willing to make the trade-off if they know they won’t have to hang around waiting for days.

The “one day, one trial” system should save Orange County about $250,000 next year and even more in succeeding years. It should also make prospective jurors more willing to respond to a summons. That makes it a win-win prospect for everyone.