23
April
2020
|
07:48 AM
America/Chicago

Jurors recognized for their service in the past and for service that will soon be needed

The right to trial by jury is the only right that appears in both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Missouri Bar – joined by judges, court personnel and legal professionals - thank the 144,271 Missourians who reported for jury duty in state courts in 2019 as part of Missouri’s annual Juror Appreciation Week.  

Next week, April 27 – May 1, Missouri’s judiciary and legal profession will emphasize to Missouri citizens how important their contributions are to our courts, communities and legal system.

“Even though we can’t come together right now to fulfill this important civic duty, we deeply appreciate the service many Missourians have given in the past and the service many more Missourians will give when the courts reopen in the near future,” said Tom Bender, 2019-20 Missouri Bar president. “The right to a trial by jury is a cornerstone of our constitution and was so important to our founding fathers that they put it in three different places in this document that defines our rights and liberties.” 

Courthouses throughout the state typically observe the week in different ways, but this year’s recognition of jurors has shifted online to adhere to social distancing recommendations. Bender said anyone can join the celebration using #ThankAJuror on your favorite social media platform, and there is good reason to thank our fellow citizens for their sacrifices.

Bender noted Missouri is one of only a few states in the country that hold a statewide Juror Appreciation Week. The observance began in 2000 by an order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, which states, “Each year thousands of Missourians perform one of the most significant civic duties granted to citizens — they serve as fair and impartial jurors in communities throughout the state. To honor those citizens who have performed their civic duty, all Missouri courts are directed to observe Juror Appreciation Week…”  

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,000 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more about The Missouri Bar, visit www.mobar.org and www.MissouriLawyersHelp.org.