Dougherty Co. Superior Court sees low responses to jury duty summons

ALBANY, Ga. – The Dougherty County Superior Court has another issue that’s causing a backup in cases.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche met with one judge to talk about the problem.

The Dougherty County Superior Court is hitting a new snag when it comes to processing cases. And that’s in the form of low responses to jury duty summons.

We spoke with Superior Court Judge, Victoria Darrisaw to get an idea of how many people show up on average when they get a summons for jury duty in the mail.

“I was given to understand from the clerk’s office that typically to get jurors, there is summoning in the neighborhood of 1,100 to 1,200 jurors just to get a response of about between 200 and 250 people to show up,” said Judge Victoria Darrisaw, Dougherty Co. Superior Court.

The low turnout also means that for Dougherty County courts, which are some of the most backed up in the State of Georgia also can’t serve justice.

“…As members of the community, that there are burdens and there are benefits to that membership. And, one of the I don’t know if you consider it a benefit or maybe a burden, but one of the burdens of membership is that when you’re called upon to serve, that you must appear,” said Judge Darrisaw.

Judge Darrisaw agrees that no one enjoys getting a summons for jury duty in the mail…

But… ignoring that summons comes with its own consequences.

“If you fail to appear for jury service, you can be cited for the same punishment as for contempt. And the punishment for contempt in superior court is up to 20 days jail and up to $1,000 fine,” said Judge Darrisaw.

And… Judge Darrisaw is understanding that jury duty happens at some of the most inconvenient times, but that it’s the civic duty for people to respond and help serve justice.

“The right to a trial by jury is a fundamental tenet of American jurisprudence. And, so, jurors, when summoned, we can’t have jury trials without jurors. And, so, we’ve just need to let people know that it’s very important that they respond,” said Judge Darrisaw.

Judge Darrisaw says that exemption affidavits can be picked up by those unable to attend jury duty from the Clerk of Court’s Office at the Dougherty County Judicial Building.

Brian Roche reporting.

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