When jury duty becomes a burden
Woman has been called 10 times in 13 years
The Post and Courier
Fran Best has had enough jury duty to last a lifetime. She purposefully canceled her voter registration in hopes that she won't get summoned again.
The Post and Courier
Best has a whole collection of jury summonses.
Fran Best of Mount Pleasant won't be voting in November, partly because she revoked her registration to minimize her chance of getting called for jury duty.
Best has been summoned 10 times in the past 13 years by assorted municipal, county and federal courts, and she has grown weary.
"My parents brought me up to be a 'good citizen,' " she said. "But when it comes to the point when you basically become a professional juror? If you get picked to go this often, you're going to go in with an attitude."
After her third summons arrived, she began collecting them and questioning why she was getting called so often. She seldom got more than a vague answer.
She even wrote to S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster asking his help with her "excessive jury duty summoning." Her letter was sent to the S.C. Court Administration, which wrote back and urged her to contact her federal and state representatives to share her concerns about the law.
Best has no proof that any court summoned her inappropriately, but while some will wait a set period of time between summoning the same juror, the different courts don't coordinate schedules.
Charleston County Clerk of Court Julie Armstrong said her office summons about 12,000 county residents per year by using a computer to select names randomly from the county's voter registration rolls as well as driver's license and state identification lists.
Anyone who serves on a Circuit Court jury won't be called as a juror for that court for at least three more years, but she said that service wouldn't necessarily exempt them from being called by other local or federal courts.
Still, Armstrong said Best's complaint about being called for excessive duty is unusual. She is more likely to hear from people who want to serve on juries but have never been summoned. "I hear that from my neighbors all the time — 'Julie, I've never been picked. Why?' "
Best's decision to cancel her voter registration might not help much because in 1988, South Carolina changed the way its courts select juries. Instead of relying on voter registration rolls, the names currently are picked randomly from driver's license and state identification records.
The state's percentage of eligible voters who have registered since has risen from 51 percent in 1988 to 57 percent in 1992 to 75 percent this year.
A big reason for the change was that some people weren't voting because they feared ending up on juries. But while the state has made the change, federal courts still use voter registration rolls.
Local lawmakers also haven't heard many complaints similar to Best's.
Told about her getting summoned by 10 courts in 13 years, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell quipped, "If I were that lady, I'd put my name in for every free jackpot drawing around the country."
State Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, a lawyer who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, said the right to a trial by jury is fundamental to the nation's democracy, but added, "It shouldn't be an oppressive burden on anybody. ... I'd be willing to take a look at it."
Best said the prospect of jury duty wasn't the only reason she actively asked that her voter registration be cancelled. She also had lost trust in government around the time that former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was charged with cocaine possession. He is serving a 10-month federal prison term. "Why vote for these people you're going to have to turn around and throw in jail?" she said.
Asked if she was picked so often because the courts wanted the "best" jurors, she smiles. "Yeah, I've heard that 1,000 times before. One thousand and one times now."
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@post andcourier.com.
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Comments
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I've often wondered why I've never been called for grand jury duty. (LMAO)
September 15, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
feb251939 (anonymous) says...
I now how the lady feels, both my wife and I were being called for jury duty so often we thought we were the only one's in the system but give up voting...NEVER.
September 15, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Looking at the photo, it looks like the lady may be old enough to decline jury duty if she desires, I am over 65 and declined last time called. However, being on jury duty can be interesting - would have loved to serve for the T Rav case.
September 15, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I've always wondered why,when after the jury pool is culled,they end up with a disproportionate amount of jurors who look a lot like her.
September 15, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
I have several pet peeves about being on jury duty. When called, I arrive early and use the designated parking garage - lots of empty reserve spaces for judges and other "high officials" and none for me - if I am lucky, I will find an empty space on the top level. During the trial, we are often sent to a holding pen while the big boys debate a point of law. My point is that if we are so important to this process, as we are told by the judge at the start of the trial, give us priority parking and let us hear the arguments by the sleazy bag lawyers trying to get their clients off or charges reduced. - treat jurors with respect and not shield our delicate ears from all of the facts. Also, prospective jurors do not live in a vacuum and having read the news about a case should not be grounds to exclude them from serving.
September 15, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
When I moved back to Charleston, in 2004 and registered to vote, within 3 months I was called to Jury duty. With in 2 years of being back home, I was called three time and served on two trails. For me, the company I worked for payed my salary, beside for what I mad on Jury duty.
There is something wrong with this system. I know people that have been in Charleston all there life and are registered to vote and had never been called to jury duty.
mouth_of_the_south:
Did you watch 60 minutes last night. If not let me fill you in. The FBI ballistic testing for the last 30 years have been proven to be very faulty. Because the FBI has admitted to it and say they will not use this process anymore, a few people has been set free that was charge on those accounts, but that little evidence was enough to send it to trail. So no, everyone that goes to trail is not always guilty. I don't know how many stories have came out about people being setup so that the prosecutor could say they solved a crime.
September 15, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
Isn't the driver's license list also used for jury duty selection?
September 15, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
MOVED BACK HERE TO GOOSE CREEK IN 1999. AND I HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR JURY DUTY FOR CITY, COUNTY AND OTHER COURTS OVER 12 TIMES. MY WIFE ABOUT 8 AND AS OF YET NEVER ACTUALLY SERVER ON A JURY. SAT IN WAITING ROOMS FOR HOURS WAITING AND THEN SOME ONE WILL FINALLY COME OUT AND SAY "DIDNT SOME ONE TELL YOU IT WAS SETTLE IN PRETRIAL". SEVER TIMES I HAVE HAD TO CATCH A LAWYER AND ASK THEM WHATS GOING ON AND THEY THEN TELL THE CASE WAS SETTLED. MISSED WORK AND KILLED MY AFTERNOONS FOR NOTHING. THEY ARE VERY INCONSIDERATE OF JURIES.
September 15, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pillsbury (anonymous) says...
The article states that drivers license records are also now used for potential jurors.
September 15, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
I wonder how many times Ms. Best actually had to go to court? In my experience with magistrate's court, they cancel almost every time since the defendant usual settles out of court or pleads guilty prior to the trial.
10 times in 13 years. That is less than once a year.
I look on it as being my responsibility as a citizen. I haven't been chosen in a while but I went through a streak a few years ago that seemed I was getting called every 6 months or so.
She also canceled her voter registration because of Ravenel?
I say that if she isn't going to bother to vote or maybe even run for office to try and make things better, then she sure shouldn't be sitting there complaining.
September 15, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
singleroni...called once in 18 years living in SC and my experience was the same as yours in the magistrates court. Sat there for three hours until someone noticed we were still there. The case was settled hours prior.
September 15, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FreeThinker (anonymous) says...
Well I feel slighted. I've lived in Mt.P. over 20 years.
I am registered to vote. I drive.
Not one single time have I ever been called.
Is there some reason I'd be overlooked.
I've never even had a speeding ticket, a wreck...nothing.
Darn I feel slighted.
September 15, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
Juries keep the legal systam balanced. All the people who complain that the Government just takes care of good old boys and corporations and is full of crooked leaders ought to welcome the fact that ordinary people are randomly selected off the street and given extraordinary power. I've settled cased after the Jury was seated because the Prosecutor or Insurance Company involved realized they weren't in control of the process and I had a jury that would actually listen to our case. The police do a poor job of investigating and preserving evidence in many cases. Police know that must people and judges in SC will just decide to convict who they accuse of a crime. Corporate Defendants won't pay unless they have to. The jury is the only reason the legal system cares about the needs of ordinary people. Without it, nobody would be heard at the courthouse and the Judges wouldn't have anything to balance the system with. Their ability to get cases settled depends on Juries being available.
September 15, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
Lawyers aren't really supposed to talk to Jurors at the courthouse. We have no way of knowing if they're sitting on a Jury mid trial or not. Even an answering an ordinary sounding question could result in a mistrial. I wouldn't want to face a judge after derailing a jury trial which had already been going for two days by telling someone what my thoughts about "assumption of the risk" would be.
It's up to the Bailiffs to be sure the Jury pool knows when they need to be somewhere and when they can leave.
Judges are usually very aware of the Juror pool and it's needs, but they're under tremendous pressure to keep the docket moving and get to the next case.
I know that I've waited on many occassions for a conference or motion hearing while a Judge did something with the Jury. Everyone understands that the Jury pool is an important and valuable resource to be conserved and used efficiently. Those people's time and the courts time are very valuable.
Some High tech methog like texing or email might really help, but many jurors can't use those things. We end up falling back to the telephone.
September 15, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
I've been called before, but never selected. I had to stand and state my name, age, maritual status and occupation. The prosecution wanted me but the defense didn't and I've always wondered how they could make that decision with only those criteria to go on.
September 15, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
I've lived in the area for eight years and as I can recall, have been summoned at least eight times! Recently, for the same week by the Magistrate Court and the City (where I haven't lived in a year). There must be a shortage of people with driver's licenses.
September 15, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
Iceman, maybe it was the t-shirt you wore, "OJ got away with it".
Anyway, glad this lady isn't voting....she looks like she would vote for Obama.
September 15, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyatwork (anonymous) says...
Been driving and voting in SC 23 years, never been called.
Would like to have the experience. Why can't a filter be used so we all get a chance. With computers this would be easy and inexpensive?
September 15, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
We read of the backlog of cases. Lets consider working also on the back shifts and get the case load under control. What we have here is a country club mentality with this 10:00 to 4:00 shift. And when these folks get convicted, put them in prison camps - no AC, no TV, and little else - make it hard time with little chance for early release. I say, put them on chain gangs digging roads to nowhere
September 15, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
ColdBeer posted:
Tulane75, here in SC, just the voter registration list is used.
That's not true. It says so in the article. They use driver's licenses and state ID also.
September 15, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
Amen Cold Beer. I don't want someone like her voting either!
September 15, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I have never been called once and I'd LOVE to do it.I agree that this woman looks 65 and would have the right to decline.My sister in law(out of state)was called for jury duty and they spent 4 days on jury selection.She said so many people wasted the courts time not being honest.By day two several finally confessed they could never impose the death penalty.(which had been a question on the survey they sent out prior)It would have to be a frustrating process.BTW she wanted to serve and wasn't picked.
September 15, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
I feel there should be away everyone gets a call, but hey, if my company is willing to pay the different of my salary, I would be glad to serve on a jury. The two times I did, I enjoyed it. Mind, both where for car accidents. I was hoping it was the case where the guy in handcuffs and leg cuffs was having his trail. lol
I was always fascinated with the jury, when I seen it on TV and wonted to be a part. I got my chance and would do it as many times as they ask me to.
September 15, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Good way to get out of jury duty:
Wear a Michael Savage tie. Or say you've read a book.
But giving up your voting rights seems a little odd to me. I've never served on a jury, and right now I'd probably decline it on the basis of being in school, but I can't imagine it's so aweful that you'd want to give up something that important.
September 15, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
I've been registered to vote since my 18th birthday which was eons ago. I have NEVER been called for Jury Duty. Yet my co-worker who just moved here from New Jersey about..hmm..2 years ago has been called twice. I also feel slighted.
Le sigh...
September 15, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PalmettoDP (anonymous) says...
I got called probably 2 years ago. During selection, the judge asked potential jurors if there was any legitimate reason they couldn't serve on a jury. One man stood up and told the judge he couldn't serve because he had hemorrhoids. The judge paused for a second and then replied, "I do too. That's not a good reason."
September 15, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Perspective (anonymous) says...
Gald to see that Thomas and Wcp3iop are back to their true calling - bashing all government and law enforcement officials. They hate governement, law enforcement, and all that it stands for.
Last week Wcp3iop WANTED to be on the jury of the Walterboro cop killer. Now he admits that if picked for a jury he would find the killers "NOT GUILTY". He spits on the dead cop by calling him a "revenue enhancement officer".
Sorry that each year 10 times the number of those killed on 9-11 are killed in avoidable traffic accidents. If I occasionally get a ticket due to my own inattention then so be it. I am glad the cops are writing tickets keeping anarchist reckless drivers like them from running wild.
It must be a strange feeling to be glad when government employees like cops and firefighters are killed in the line of duty.
Do you two feel the same about the garbage men, too? Those stealing bast@rds sometimes take discarded things with them that would otherwise go to the landfill! WE CAN NOT HAVE THAT HAPPENING!! After all we pay them minimum wage! They can save up if they want a baby crib for their own child. :)
Geez, sometimes you guys annoy me, but mostly I just chuckle...
September 15, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pillsbury (anonymous) says...
Try being a law student and being called for jury duty. You will get striked by one of the parties depending on the type of case . . .
September 15, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol @ Palmetto DP
September 15, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lucky (anonymous) says...
I know someone who is on a local grand jury that meets once a month. That's one unpaid day off a month for a year, possibly two. Everyone wants to be a good citizen, but who can afford an unpaid day off once a month? If you make $100 dollars a day, give or take, that's $1,200 a year. Plus, you've got a 50/50 chance of getting picked for another year after that.
September 15, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
This would be of benefit to those of us supporting and practicing jury nullification. This is the practice of acquitting defendants that are arrested because of unjust, unconstitutional, or unpopular law. "The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy."-John Jay, first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. Jury nullifiers can learn the process, see what goes on, and set undeserving arrestees free. I will proudly serve on a jury anytime.
September 15, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
It happened to me also, but in my case it was about every three months and this went on for at least 3 or 4 years. I would get there and sit all morning until usually early afternoon then told we dont need ya , you can go home. Yes I think its our duty to serve but it should also be even out some.
September 15, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yellow07 (anonymous) says...
10 times in 13 years, that is not much. A few years ago I swear I was called 3 times in one year, different courts though. I got notices for magistrate's court, Berkeley Co. Circuit Court, and city of Goose Creek. Never got picked to be on a jury though. The only one that was inconvenient was the circuit court because I had to go for 2 or 3 days in a row.
September 15, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ladysensei (anonymous) says...
Not to Vote is really a pathetic excuse because of Jury Duty. I have heard this lame excuse used by so many people who enjoy complaining about the President and their local government officials but use this as a reason not to vote.
"I don't register to vote becuase I don't want to be called to jury duty" Oh please, just your lazy self and enjoy complaining about the world and crime. You can get out of Jury Duty if you really need to and I am sorry most people choose to think like this lady. Voting is a gift in this country, not to mention sitting on a jury. In some other countries they just take you out in the street and chop your hand off or hang you with out a trial. Be glad your an American who can vote and serve on a jury. Get over it.
September 15, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Uber patriot Thomas hates LEOs and politicians but loves big gubmint...go figure.
I sat on a jury 5 years ago and convicted a man of manslaughter in Berkeley County. Blair Jennings prosecuted the case. It was very interesting experience to say the least.
September 16, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinionated1 (anonymous) says...
I sometimes wonder whether the answer is in offering more money as reimbursement to jurors. In this economy, no wonder people feel so put upon when the reimbursement is $12 plus parking.
If you offered $100 per day the jurors might be less angry coming in.
September 16, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sherlock (anonymous) says...
Im glad that even though I get summoned, I never have to serve. Reason? No Atty in his/her right mind wants someone who has a Masters degree in Crim. Justice to be a juror.
September 16, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kd (anonymous) says...
Oh gosh, one less vote for McCain.
September 16, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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