Jury Service as Civic Engagement

Abstract

Much like other forms of civic engagement, many Americans apparently perceive jury "duty" as optional, a circumstance that often has left courts struggling to seat juries. Considering how individuals orient themselves to this often neglected form of civic responsibility facilitates a more holistic understanding of citizen behavior and its antecedents. In this article, we explore the possible effects of resources, barriers and personality traits on jury summons compliance. Data are drawn from a field experiment and corresponding survey conducted in the State of Washington. Results reveal that cultural/linguistic factors act as strong barriers to jury service and that people's personality traits influence summons compliance. Efforts to reduce resource constraints via heightened juror pay brought no positive effect on compliance rates.

Does the Modern Jury Represent a Successful Exercise in Democracy?

“…The jury system operates a unique direct democracy under the system of congress democracy, which is a guarantee of citizens' rights. Yet the widely divergent use, shape and role of juries across the globe cast doubt on these arguments [1] .…”