New online system will help prospective jurors

By Matt Pordum

Thursday, May 5, 2005 | 9:08 a.m.

In two weeks Clark County residents will be able to "click and confirm" their jury service as the eJuror jury management system will be launched.

The new Internet system was introduced to members of the media on Wednesday as part of Jury Week. It will give jurors information about jury service, payment information, trial and court information, and an opportunity to postpone or defer jury service until a later date.

Acting Chief Judge Michael Cherry said eJuror "makes it easier for people to understand their responsibilities" and monitor their service dates.

"With eJuror we can provide even better service to those citizens we call upon to help us fill our courts with jurors," Cherry said. "The system is Web-based and allows jurors to quickly confirm or reschedule their jury service. We anticipate this will further reduce wait times and confusion about serving on a jury in Clark County."

Judge Betsy Gonzalez, who prior to her judgeship sat on the Jury Improvement Commission, said eJuror is just one result to come out of the commission's October 2002 study. She said juror statements and testimony from judges and others in the justice system made it clear that convenience was a top priority.

Gonzalez said now for people who have heavy work schedules or simply have vacation plans, they can change their jury service date for a different time, doing so in a matter of minutes online.

Additionally, summoned jurors can print out a jury service attendance letter to submit to their employer and fill out a basic questionnaire to give attorneys and judges a better idea of the person who is coming to be considered to sit on a jury.

For cash strapped Clark County, not only is eJuror more convenient, it's also cost effective. While a prospective juror who calls an employee at jury services to check their status costs the county $3 per minute, eJuror only costs the county three cents per minute.

The Web-based system joins a phone system put in place three years ago, which allowed the court to reduce phone wait times by 85 percent. The court estimates roughly 25 percent of summoned jurors will use eJuror to respond.

The new Internet system cost roughly $28,000, with annual operating costs projected at $4,000.