Before the Court

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SELF-SERVICE CHECK-IN KIOSK SAVES TIME FOR JURORS AT THE REDWOOD CITY COURTHOUSE. As part of its celebration of Juror Appreciation Week, May 14-18, The Superior Court of San Mateo County debuted a self-service check-in kiosk meant to enhance the juror services experience. The kiosk will allow jurors to scan their summons when they arrive for service, reducing the amount of time spent waiting to check-in with a staff person. The San Mateo Court was recently awarded grant funding to explore further improvements to the jury services experience, including juror notification via text messaging. Presiding Judge Susan Irene Etezadi said: “Jurors guarantee that everyone has the right to a trial where they can be heard and judged by their peers. In recognition of this valuable service, the judicial branch has worked to make jury duty less burdensome with one-day or one-trial service, plain-language jury instructions and other improvements. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices and contributions jurors make to our justice system.” Annually, millions of Californians participate in jury service: Approximately 9 million people are summoned to jury service; more than 4 million prospective jurors are eligible and available to serve; and approximately 80 percent of prospective jurors who report to the courthouse in person complete service in one day. For more information on jury service contact the San Mateo Superior Court Jury Division at 599-1700; go the Court’s website at www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/juror_services/; or visit the Jury Service section of the California Courts website.

Susan E. Cohn is a member of the State Bar of California. She may be contacted at susan@smdailyjournal.com.