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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore potential jurors called to serve on federal trials were saved a trip to the courthouse in 2014.
A release from the U.S. Courts stated the national average of jurors in federal District courts who were not selected, serving or challenged on the first day of jury service fell to 36.8 percent last year. This compares to 37.7 percent in 2013.
Since every juror is paid $40 per day for attendance even if not selected to serve, the decline in calling people unnecessarily to the courthouse saved the judiciary an estimated $261,956.
Fifty of the 94 District courts improved their percentage of jurors who were not selected, serving or challenged in 2014.
Also in 2014, the federal courts added a new Integrated Voice Response system feature to its Advanced Judicial Information System, according to the U.S. Courts 2014 Annual Report.
District courts use the improved system to remind jurors of their reporting date and time or of revised times and cancellations. In addition, jurors can call in at any time and get confirmation of their instructions or hear the status of their individual request.
The system improves customer service, increases juror attendance and reduces jury staff workload, the annual report stated.
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