JUROR JOB DESCRIPTION

Prior To Trial:

1. Check in with the Registration desk and put on your badge and Teen Court Polo shirt.

2. Look at the docket sheet to see if there is a Respondent with whom you feel there may be a conflict.

3. Follow the instructions of the Clerk of Court/Baliff assigned to your jury.

In The Courtroom:

1. Be prepared to stand when the Judge enters the chambers. The Judge will ask you to rise again and be sworn. When sworn in, reply: “Yes” or “I do.” Or “Yes, your honor” LOUD and CLEAR.

2. Do not visit with other jurors.

3. Do not chew gum!

4. Listen attentively to the panelist’s questions and the Respondent’s answers.

5. You may as questions when directed by the Judge.

During Deliberations:

1. Jury quickly appoints a Foreperson. A new Foreperson will be chosen for each case, so all Jury members have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. The Foreperson will lead deliberations. Use the Constructive Sanctions Option Form. The Foreperson will record the decisions of the jury on the Jury Report Form, along with their rationale.

2. The Jury Foreperson will be responsible for conducting the deliberation session, writing the consequences and pronouncing constructive sanctions to the Respondent in the courtroom.

3. New jurors will be joining the jury because they are Respondents from previous cases and have been sanctioned to jury duty. Please show respect for them.

4. All jurors are to be responsible for maintaining order, proceeding with deliberations as quickly as possible, and contributing to the deliberation process.

5. Remember that jury members are only dealing with information which was put forth during the court session. Personal knowledge of the Respondent and what they have, or have not done, should not be brought up, or considered, in deliberations.

6. What about the believability of the witness? You will need to consider their demeanor when testifying, their character, their degree of remorse, and any consistent/inconsistent statements made by them. The extent of their ability, or willingness to recollect, or communicate their testimony, and their attitude toward the case must also be considered.

7. You are there to do a job. Keep your personal experiences out of your decision making. Do not share your personal experiences with the other jurors in an attempt to sway the decision one way or the other. Consider only the information presented in the courtroom.

8. If Respondent jurors bring up constructive sanctions they received for a similar offense, the Foreperson is to quickly tell them that their information is not pertinent to this case. Jurors are to disregard those statements, and are to decide the constructive sanctions solely on the basis of the information presented in court.

9. Tell your Clerk of Court when:

Jury deliberations are over.

You have the Constructive Sanctions Report Form completed.

You are ready to return to the courtroom.

Back In The Courtroom:

1. Your Foreperson gives the Constructive Sanctions Form to the Clerk of Court.

2. When the Judge asks, “Has the Jury reached a decision?” the Foreperson will stand and say, “Yes, we have your honor,” and must read the constructive sanctions in a LOUD and CLEAR voice.