District clerk launches jury participation campaign
The Harris County District Clerk’s Office on Monday unveiled a campaign to increase jury participation, especially among African-American and Hispanic communities that are typically underrepresented in jury pools.
The outreach effort includes three billboards, social media posts and public service announcements that urge residents to “Stand for Justice — Participate in Jury Service.”
Increasing jury turnout has been a major goal of District Clerk Marilyn Burgess’ office, with jury participation usually hovering around 20 percent. Turnout is even lower in Black and Hispanic communities, which can result in less diverse juries.
“The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a jury of one’s peers,” Burgess said. “Increased participation and juries that are more diverse can help our justice system to be more fair and equitable. This outreach campaign is a call to action.”
The billboards have been placed in areas where the district clerk’s office would like to boost turnout: south Houston at the intersection of Highway 610 and Scott Street; north Houston at Highway 59 and Crosstimbers, and east Houston at Interstate 10 and Federal Road.
Burgess is also working on recommendations for Harris County Commissioner’s Court. Following a countywide survey, her office determined that the two biggest issues preventing people from attending jury service are low daily pay and stressful parking situations downtown.
Jury turnout has been down during the pandemic, although jury trials are happening at much lower rates than in a typical year. But because of a newer sys
tem where participants pre-register online before showing up for service, 90 percent of people who say they’ll appear actually turn out, according to the district clerk’s office.
Burgess’ outreach campaign also comes amid some dissention in the criminal justice community over whether jury trials should occur. Defense attorneys have raised safety concerns, and on Monday, Burgess said that potential jurors have some of the same fears.
“People are scared to come in,” she said.
Burgess added that safety protocols, including social distancing and wearing face shields, appear to be working and making jurors as comfortable as possible.
Trials will be on hold for more than a month because of space limitations at NRG Arena, where the county has been holding jury selection. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is still holding student competitions at the arena, despite canceling this year’s main events.