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Category Archives: Jury appreciation

June 8, 2021 New Jury Trial Plan continues COVID-19 protections for those coming for jury duty and others involved with trials

During the COVID-19 pandemic, jurors must be given reasonable assurance of their safety before participating in the jury process. As such, the EJDC has worked closely with several entities, including Clark County, University Medical Center (UMC), the State of Nevada’s Division of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), to develop and implement a comprehensive plan that will allow the court to resume its in-person jury operation. This plan is designed to instruct judges and court staff on how to conduct an in-person jury trial in a manner that minimizes risks to all participants by taking every reasonable precaution that has been recommended by our community health care partners.

Jury Trial Plan

covid-jury-trial-plan_2021-06-03-04_11_pm-8d7ad.pdf-final-002Download

The Jury Commissioner will include a notice on the jury summons advising all prospective jurors of the COVID-19 safety protocols contained in the plan. Prospective jurors who are experiencing symptoms, feeling sick, or have been exposed to COVID-19 will be advised to not report for jury duty. Prospective jurors who are considered high risk, such as persons 65 years of age or older or persons with underlying medical conditions which place the person at risk will be eligible for a deferral.

All jurors, witnesses, and trial participants not fully vaccinated entering the courthouse will be required to wear a face covering at all times while in the building except when eating or drinking during breaks. Personal cloth face coverings and surgical masks will be allowed. If an individual does not have a face covering upon entry the marshals will provide one at no cost. Face coverings must fully cover the nose and the mouth and may not have vents. Additionally, while face shields are permissible, they must be worn in conjunction with a face covering. Face coverings remain required at all times regardless of vaccination status in courtrooms, jury assembly and other designated face covering required areas. Those who are fully vaccinated are still encouraged to wear face coverings while in other areas of court facilities.

In addition to the biographical and qualification questionnaires that are already being administered to prospective jurors, a new standard supplemental questionnaire will be added. The supplemental questionnaire will seek information to help shorten the jury selection process by allowing the court and counsel to pre-screen prospective jurors for issues related to undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, and overall fitness to serve. The supplemental questionnaire will include COVID-19 questions that will allow prospective jurors to reflect on whether they believe they can safely serve as a juror. The jury summons will include a due date and instructions for the prospective juror to complete the questionnaires online.

Jury Selection/Voir dire will be conducted in the courtroom effective June 14, 2021. It is recommended that jury seating allow the maximum amount of space between jurors.

HVAC Augmentation Consistent with the recommendations from our health care partners will be used. The court will work with Clark County Real Property Management to enhance the air quality and air disinfection within the courthouse. This will include, increasing airflow/air exchanges, introducing 30% humidity (if necessary), upgrading air filters to no less than MERV 13 rating, and installing a Synexis Dry Hydrogen System1 in the jury room and courtrooms when available. F. Environmental Cleaning Consistent with the recommendations from our health care partners (Exhibit 3), the court will work with Clark County Real Property Management to enhance the environmental sanitation in the Regional Justice Center. This will include, the use of disinfectant cleaner with lower dwell times (1 minute), increasing porter services throughout the day to continuously disinfect high 1 The Synexis DHP technology continuously uses dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) to reduce levels of harmful bacteria and viruses, along with fungi, and mold in occupied spaces. 3 touch surfaces i.e. (elevator buttons, escalator handrails, restroom spaces, etc.), and providing individual antibacterial cleaning wipes for all trial participants to wipe high touch areas during breaks to increase frequency and surface cleaning.

Infection Control Consistent with the recommendations from our health care partners, the court will work with Clark County Real Property Management to enhance Regional Justice Center’s infection controls.

For more information on the District Court’s COVID-19 response, including our COVID-19 Trial Plan, please visit our website at http://www.clarkcountycourts.us.  Visit ejuror.clarkcountycourts.us; Email ejuror@clarkcountycourts.us;  or call 702-455-4472 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and press 0.  If you are scheduled to report for jury duty call 702-455-4472 after 6 p.m. to verify that you are needed and the time to report.

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August 27, 2018 Are juries endangered: if so – why?

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Former jurors, who have recently served in the Nevada federal or state court, are sought for a panel on Sept. 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room, to give input on how to improve the jury system. The participants will be provided lunch compliments of the New York University’s Civil Jury Project and the Clark County Bar Association.

Former jurors who have recently served in the Nevada federal or state court and would like to participate in the panel can RSVP to kv20@nyu.edu or (212) 729-2016 to attend. Lunch will be provided. Transportation and parking expenses will be reimbursed.

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September 9, 2016 District Court to surprise potential jurors to show appreciation for responding to the call to civic duty

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The American justice system hinges on the jury system. The Constitution guarantees: “the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury.” That’s why jury service is so important and that’s why the Eighth Judicial District Court and Nevada Supreme Court are surprising potential jurors with a jury appreciation day on September 13 at 8 a.m. in the Jury Services Lounge of the Regional Justice Center at 200 Lewis Ave. Those responding to the call for jury duty will be surprised with fresh coffee and pastries compliments of the District Court judges. Jury services employees will reveal the top 10 misconceptions about jury service and offer the important truth.

Jury services is widely recognized as essential pillar of our justice system and those who serve their civic duty are highly regarded and appreciated by the court. District Court has upgraded and streamlined Jury Services to improve efficiency and save time for all involved in the jury selection process, most notably attorneys and reporting jurors. “The American Justice system cannot work without jurors. I encourage anyone who receives a jury summons to respond and play their important role in our justice system.” said District Court Chief Judge David Barker. “Most who serve on juries find it to be rewarding, and enlightening. As a judge, I realize how essential jurors are and I deeply value and commend those who take their responsibility to serve on a jury seriously.”

A series of upgrades initiated by past Chief Judge Jennifer Togliatti began several years ago and is ongoing. Some of the most recent improvements include the ability for summoned jurors to access jury qualification questionnaires in a variety of ways: kiosks, improved wi-fi for personal electronic devices, and court-provided tablets. The Jury Services webpage (http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/ejdc/juror-information/index.html#Frequently Asked Questions) has been upgraded to help jurors navigate through the reporting process by, among other things, offering jury qualification questionnaires online to improve pre-qualification rates. Potential jurors can complete their qualification questionnaires and upload/attach documentation right onto their record. Potential jurors can also update their addresses and find information on what to expect, FAQs, directions to courthouse/parking, and the orientation video. Potential jurors/jurors are also able to select their preferred method of contact including: email, text, phone, or mail. Reminder calls can be made to jurors 10 days in advance and the night prior to reporting.

“Jury service is vital for our justice system,” said Nevada Supreme Court Justice Mark Gibbons. “Those who receive a jury summons should be sure to respond. It’s an honor to serve this civic duty and be part of what makes this county exceptional. I served on a jury and it was a great experience,”

Other upgrades include two touch–screen kiosks for expedited check-in. Kiosks offer the capability to complete qualification questionnaires in the Jury Services room and the ability to print attendance letters and checks. Court plans include the addition of 10 kiosks with bar code scanning capability. Jurors are no longer paid with a voucher system. Instead, checks are now issued immediately upon completion of service and are available through various ways; checks can be picked-up by the jurors upon notification by departments, or the departments can collect the checks and hand them out in the courtroom. Jurors can also request a link to an exit survey to be e-mailed to them for online completion through the eJuror web-page. The surveys are intended to gather better feedback and input on opportunities for improvement.

 

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