Sept. 1, 2010 – Last year, more than 20,000 Wisconsin residents served on juries. Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson urges State Bar members to join their justice system colleagues in observing September as Juror Appreciation Month.
Abrahamson will participate in a press conference with Milwaukee judges, jurors and other court and county officials in the Milwaukee County Courthouse Rotunda at 12:15 p.m. today.
The Chief Judges Subcommittee on Juror Treatment and Selection initiated the statewide juror appreciation program two years ago to publicly thank jurors, their employers, and their families for time contributed to ensure that Wisconsin citizens enjoy the right to trial by jury. The designation was formalized through proclamations issued by the Chief Justice, the Governor, both houses of the Legislature, county boards and various other public officials and bodies.
“Wisconsin jurors are appreciated throughout the year for the role they play in protecting the constitutional rights of all the people of Wisconsin and in keeping our system of justice fair and impartial,” Chief Justice Abrahamson noted. Abrahamson brings a personal perspective to the issue, having served twice on Dane County juries.
The theme of Juror Appreciation Month, which is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin court system and the State Bar, is Jurors Serve Justice; Justice Serves Us All. Circuit courts statewide will host juror appreciation activities during September to recognize their service and to highlight the invaluable service jurors bring to our justice system.
Attorneys interested in participating in local juror appreciation activities should contact their county court administrator for information, including any planned events and educational activities. For example, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley will address jurors during a celebration in the jury room at the Dane County Courthouse at 8 a.m. on Sept. 13.
The State Bar co-produced a 30-second PSA thanking jurors for their service.
The juror appreciation initiative is endorsed by the ABA, which offers an on-line booklet suggesting a variety of other ways thank jurors for their service.
