Wisconsin
Lawyer
Vol. 81, No. 10, October
2008
Wisconsin celebrated juror appreciation month in
September
In September, Gov. Jim Doyle issued a proclamation, and the Senate
and Assembly
approved citations, declaring September Juror Appreciation Month. The
statewide celebration
kicked off with a press conference at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Wisconsin Supreme
Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, State Bar President Diane S.
Diel, and
then-Milwaukee County Circuit Court Chief Judge Kitty K. Brennan, and
other local officials
hosted the event. Press conferences also were held in Waukesha County
and Dane County
"The Wisconsin court system and the people of this state
greatly appreciate
the time and dedication of jurors," said Abrahamson. "Without
jurors, our system of
justice would not function properly. Employers and families of jurors
also deserve
tremendous thanks for supporting jurors.
"The right to a jury trial is a fundamental component of the
American and
Wisconsin justice systems, and the willingness of Wisconsin residents
to serve as jurors is
critical to preserving this right," said Abrahamson, who has
served on juries twice during
her tenure on the supreme court.
Diel noted that the right to trial by jury is a legacy of our Bill
of Rights
and one of the hallmarks of American justice. "Like other rights
guaranteed by our
Constitution, the promise of a jury of peers comes with
responsibilities as well. Jury
service takes citizens away from their jobs, their families, and their
routines, potentially
for up to weeks at a time, to serve the goal of justice for all. Those
who serve are
often asked to make difficult and complex decisions that directly
impact the interests of
both individual neighbors and their communities."
During September many counties hosted press conferences and other
activities
to recognize and thank jurors. Several county boards passed local
resolutions, and
several circuit courts participated in a variety of activities thanking
jurors and
recognizing the critical role they play in our democracy and system of
justice.
During 2007, of the 60,000 people who reported to courthouses across
Wisconsin, about 20,000 served during 2,429 trials.
Wisconsin
Lawyer
