By Tom Solberg, State Bar of Wisconsin

Sept. 9, 2009 – The State Bar has teamed up with the Supreme Court to produce a 30-second Public Service Announcement promoting public awareness of “Juror Appreciation Month” in September. The ad will air on broadcast and cable television outlets in communities across the state through the end of September.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson launched Juror Appreciation Month last year to recognize the essential role jurors play in our justice system and to educate the public about the sacrifices and contributions made by jurors. The PSA was shot by State Bar staff in a Dane County courtroom late last month, with assistance from Gail Richardson, District 5 Court Administrator, and Court Information Officers Amanda Todd and Tom Sheehan. The PSA features brief remarks from the Chief Justice, along with Rock County Assistant District Attorney Mark Jahnke, State Public Defender Mario White (Dane County), Waukesha County Judge Ralph Ramirez, and Winnebago County Clerk of Circuit Court Diane Fremgen.

Every month, nearly 2,000 Wisconsin residents serve on juries in courtrooms across the state and Chief Justice Abrahamson invites all State Bar members to join with her and others in the Wisconsin Court System in publicly thanking jurors for their service.

Related article:

September is “Juror Appreciation Month” – Aug. 10, 2009

Rotunda Report is a new newsletter, issued once every two weeks, from the State Bar of Wisconsin that highlights legislative, judicial and administrative developments that impact the legal profession and the justice system. It is produced by the Bar’s Government Relations Team and is distributed free to attorneys, public officials and others who help shape public policy in Wisconsin. We invite your suggestions to make the Rotunda Report more informative and useful and we encourage you to visit our Web site for the most current information about justice-related issues.

© 2009, State Bar of Wisconsin