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District Courts’ Juror Utilization Improved in 2007

The number of persons not selected or challenged on the first day of their jury service in federal courts declined in 2007, meaning that U.S. district courts did a better job of juror utilization.

The national average of jurors not selected or challenged on their first day of jury service in calendar year 2007 was 36.8 percent, down from 37.6 percent in 2006. The decline in percentage means 4,096 potential jurors were not brought into a courthouse unnecessarily. It also equates to a savings of about $356,000.

The policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States has approved a juror- utilization goal of 30 percent or less for jurors not selected or challenged on their first day of duty.

A total of 44 district courts improved their percentage in 2007. Seven districts improved their percentage by 10 points or more. They are Alaska, Louisiana Eastern, Missouri Eastern, North Dakota, New York Southern, Oklahoma Northern, and Rhode Island.

Although most courts’ percentages are representative of their juror-utilization practices, certain aberrations do occur. Notoriety trials, death penalty cases, multi-defendant criminal cases, and continuances because of unforeseen circumstances are a few of the factors that can cause a court’s percentages to fluctuate.