Judge cracking down on no-show jurors

SHELBY COUNTY, Ind. (Shelbyville News) - A Shelby County judge is cracking down on jurors who do not show up to do their civic duty, 24-Hour News 8’s news partner the Shelbyville News reports.

Shelby Circuit Court Judge Charles O’Connor had a hearing on Wednesday for people who did not show up for jury duty at jury trials. At the hearing was one man who was arrested for not showing up.

O’Connor has issued a warrant for a woman.

He said it is a response to a small decrease in a usually very strong turnout.

O’Connor asked five people to come to court to explain why they didn’t show up when they were called to participate in a jury pool for possible selection to a jury. He gave a light reprimand and gave participants a chance to explain themselves.

The judge was satisfied with four of the five people’s explanations. He gave those people an opportunity to show up to the next trial.

Excuses varied from sick family members to simply forgetting.

O’Connor said one woman who did not show up will be issued a writ of attachment.

Earlier this month, a man was arrested on a writ of attachment issued by O’Connor after he failed to show up for three different trials.

That man spent a weekend in the Shelby County Jail and will do 25 hours of community service.

O’Connor says he is impressed for the strong turnout he has seen during most of his time on the bench.

"I believe that's because the citizens of this county understand the importance of jury duty," he said. "It's unfortunate for those who do appear to blow this off."

O’Connor says that when he was first elected he did something similar when there was a low turnout. News coverage developed after a man was arrested, and since then turnout has been 100 percent, O’Connor said, until recently.

The judge says he k now it is an inconvenience for people to come in to jury duty. He also says it’s only fair to the people who do come to look into why some didn’t.

"That' all I'm interested in is that everyone is treated fairly," he said.

Superior Court I Judge Jack Tandy said his court is still seeing strong turnout, near 100 percent, and hasn't taken any measure similar to O'Connor.

"I have really good attendance, response to jury summons," he said.

In a felony trial, 50 people might get called and all but one or two show up, he said.

"Sometimes everyone shows up," he said.