Declining juror participation and a sharp decrease in trial frequency are among the challenges courts must overcome to preserve the future of jury trials.
A new report, “Preserving the Future of Juries and Jury Trials,” offers strategies to combat these critical challenges that threaten the existence and legitimacy of our jury system while also suggesting strategic solutions to preserve its future.
“We need to take action, or we risk losing a living component of justice,” warns Paula Hannaford-Agor, director of the National Center of State Court’s Center for Jury Studies. “This report is a starting point for continued conversations about where we need to go to strengthen jury trials.”
The report identifies four key vulnerabilities and outlines a plan to preserve and improve the jury system:
1. Foster Public Education and Engagement About the Jury System
2. Focus on the Juror-Centered Experience
3. Increase Capacity and Incentives for Jury Trials
4. Identify and Address Disparities Between Values and Practices
Hannaford-Agor emphasizes that reforms—such as increased juror compensation, shorter terms of service, improved public education efforts, and trial advocacy training for lawyers—will require sustained commitments from justice system stakeholders to invest in resources and work towards changing behaviors and attitudes.
To read the report, visit www.ncsc-jurystudies.org.
A new report, “Preserving the Future of Juries and Jury Trials,” offers strategies to combat these critical challenges that threaten the existence and legitimacy of our jury system while also suggesting strategic solutions to preserve its future.
“We need to take action, or we risk losing a living component of justice,” warns Paula Hannaford-Agor, director of the National Center of State Court’s Center for Jury Studies. “This report is a starting point for continued conversations about where we need to go to strengthen jury trials.”
The report identifies four key vulnerabilities and outlines a plan to preserve and improve the jury system:
1. Foster Public Education and Engagement About the Jury System
2. Focus on the Juror-Centered Experience
3. Increase Capacity and Incentives for Jury Trials
4. Identify and Address Disparities Between Values and Practices
Hannaford-Agor emphasizes that reforms—such as increased juror compensation, shorter terms of service, improved public education efforts, and trial advocacy training for lawyers—will require sustained commitments from justice system stakeholders to invest in resources and work towards changing behaviors and attitudes.
To read the report, visit www.ncsc-jurystudies.org.
