Jury Appreciation Week proclaimed by judge

By Matt Pordum

Thursday, April 14, 2005 | 9:26 a.m.

Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Becker proclaimed the first week of May as Jury Appreciation Week during a visit to the Clark County Courthouse on Wednesday morning.

Becker made the announcement to a group of prospective jurors waiting in the jury orientation room and said during the week, courts around the state will be celebrating the participation of Nevadans in the jury process.

"Jury service is not only a responsibility of citizenship, but also a privilege," Becker said. "It is a cornerstone of our democracy. Those citizens who give their time to make the system work deserve our thanks."

In 2004 nearly 175,000 citizens reported for jury duty in Clark County, providing verdicts in more than 500 civil and criminal trials.

Becker said in the coming months jurors would be able to confirm or reschedule their jury service online, which is one of the innovations Nevada's court's have undergone in the area of jury reform.

Additional improvements have been the increase in juror pay from $15 to $40 per day and allowing jurors to ask questions in court.

District Court Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle, who along with Becker and Las Vegas Justice Court Chief Judge James Bixler welcomed the prospective jurors to court on Wednesday, emphasized the importance of jury service.

"Even with you just sitting here waiting to be called to a courtroom, you're working hard for us," Hardcastle said.

"As you're sitting here attorneys are trying to decide if they are going to move forward with their trial or settle the case."