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District Court Chief Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez issued an administrative order on Feb. 2 that established a Jury Services Committee to examine the jury process from summons through discharge. Judge Valerie Adair and Judge Timothy Williams will chair the committee. They, along with the committee, will look to ensure the court is compliant with all statutory and rule amendments that came out of the 2002 Nevada Supreme Court Jury Improvement Committee. The newly established District Court Jury Services Committee will also explore the viability of further operational and technological improvements that could enhance the process.

Several years ago, past Chief Judge Jennifer Togliatti initiated a push to improve jury services in the Nevada Eighth Judicial District. Improvements were made including 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 (https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/ejdc/juror-information/index.html#Frequently Asked Questions) was upgraded to help jurors navigate through the reporting process by, among other things, offering jury qualification questionnaires online to improve pre-qualification rates. The capability for potential jurors to complete their qualification questionnaires and upload/attach documentation right onto their record was implemented, along with the ability to update their addresses and find information on what to expect. Frequently asked questions, directions to courthouse/parking, and an orientation video were also made available online. The capability for potential jurors to select their preferred method of contact including: email, text, phone, or mail, was also added to the jury page on the court website. An electronic system to perform reminder calls to jurors10 days in advance and the night prior to reporting was implemented.

Other upgrades include 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. 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.

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.

Link to admin order https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/clerk/rules/AO%2017-02.pdf

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