Letter: Do your part in the cause of justice
Voters shouldn't elect judges. Credit: Jim Peppler, 2011
A jury works best when it mirrors the diverse ethnic, social, economic and political perspectives of the community. But that "jury of their peers" promise went unfulfilled for many generations.
The first juries were composed of the social elite and tended to reflect the views of the privileged. That problem was "addressed" by extending jury eligibility to anyone registered to vote, but at the time, African-Americans were ineligible and, therefore, could not sit as jurors.
Additionally, until relatively recently, people in 22 occupations, ranging from lawyers and doctors to embalmers, were exempt from jury service in New York State. Thankfully, those impediments are gone, and anyone older than 18 who is fluent in English and does not have a felony record can serve. Finally, we have arrived at a point where a truly diverse jury pool is at least possible. Finally, the citizenry has the full power envisioned by our Constitution.
But many view jury duty as an inconvenience to be evaded if at all possible. Every week, we send out about 15,000 questionnaires to determine whether an individual is eligible, and we're lucky if half of them come back.
We've tried to do our part to make jury service an empowering and pleasant experience. Please, do your part.
Audrey Pheffer, Rockaway Beach
Editor's note: The writer is the Queens County clerk and commissioner of jurors.
