Jury Duty – And Why its Important

Jury Trials are fundamental to our system of justice and an individual’s right to a jury trial. Jurors play a critical role in ensuring that the court can meet its obligations under the law and ensure that justice is available to everyone.

Our juries are selected from our communities to hear and deliberate upon the evidence in a criminal or civil trial.  Their importance in the justice system cannot be underestimated.  Having a jury of your peers decide your case is a right afforded to you in the Constitution and is designed to ensure that you have access to justice in your case.

We should realize that when the United States declared our independence from England, Delaware representatives for all three counties wrote the Delaware Declaration of Rights.  Trial by jury of facts secures the lives, liberties, and estates of the people.

The jury’s role is that of an equal partner in the administration of justice.  Only the Judge determines the law to be applied.

Jury service in Delaware is relatively painless, typically only taking a day of your time.  If you are selected for a trial, the trial length may vary, but you will be given an opportunity to tell the Court if you cannot meet a multi-day obligation.

When summoned, you are asked to reply to a short questionnaire providing the Court with information, in part to determine if your participation will be fair and impartial.  Completing the questionnaire for jury service allows the Court to provide the parties with potential jurors’ information ahead of the day you are reporting; this is why you are requested to complete and return the form within 7 days of receipt.  It is essential that the questionnaire be completed in full.  If it is not, your name will be called when you report so you can complete the form. When additional information is required on the day you do report for jury service, it is a waste of the Court’s time and resources and affects the ability of the parties to move forward with jury selection in a timely manner.

Although jury service may feel like a disruption in your routine, please consider the task of jury duty as a responsibility that impacts your own individual rights.  Someday, you may find yourself in need of a jury trial, if only for a minor infraction, and you will want to have access to a group of people who is willing to decide your case in a fair and impartial manner.

 

For a free consultation with a Murphy & Landon attorney, contact us at:  866-939-8100 or 302-472-8100.