| A press release accompanying the veto said there was no compelling
evidence to suggest that a $5-a-day increase would make a difference in the number of
people willing to serve as jurors. California jurors have not had a pay raise since the
Eisenhower Administration.
The measure, authored by Assemblywoman Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, would have cost
$4 million.
Chief Justice Ron George said he will continue to work for increased juror pay in the
next legislative session.
George appointed a task force last month charged with providing guidance to the
Judicial Council on implementing a wide range of jury reforms.
Given a three-year term, the 15-member Task Force on Jury System Improvement will
conduct a pilot project to better use jurors' time through screening prior to their
arrival at the courthouse.
The panel also may study other ways to improve statewide jury operations, including the
one-step summons process, a statewide jury list and an orientation video.
The panel is chaired by Riverside County Superior Court Judge Dallas Holmes, a former
member of the State Bar Board of Governors.
George also has appointed a taskforce to translate jury instructions into
understandable language. |
