At least once in our lives, we must all serve on a jury. But large percentage of people try to avoid serving on juries. Current statistical data states that of the nearly four million juror affidavits mailed in the country in 1995-96, 36% did not respond, 15% were undeliverable, 13% were returned for updating and 26% were excused as either unqualified or due to hardship. This left only 10% who were qualified. Only half of which actually served on juries! …showed first 75 words of 745 total…

…showed last 75 words of 745 total…the poor is, that they are often uneducated. This seems to be the norm, more than the exception. However, many jurors are upper-middle-class, which leads low-income people unable to have a jury of their peers. Either way, misrepresentation is rampant in the jury system. Furthermore, the low pay fuels the financial hardship excuses. The commission is looking into increasing pay, in hopes of making jury duty a more pleasant, and less bothersome, experience. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**