Court Information

Jury Duty

Jury Orientation Video Transcript

THE NARRATOR: Welcome to the Bucks County Court system. Hi, I'm Alan Pratt and I'll be walking you through this orientation video. This presentation is designed to help clarify the jury selection process and to answer any questions you may have concerning your role in it.

Every year more than 40 percent of the population of this county will have something to do with the court system, whether it's simply paying a traffic fine at the district justice level or as a participant in either a civil or criminal court trial or in a divorce, family, or Orphans Court matter.

You are here today as a prospective juror. It is both your privilege and responsibility to help maintain our legal system. This is one of the highest responsibilities we share as citizens of the United States. In this video we'll outline what will be expected of you if you are asked to sit as a juror in a civil or criminal case.

Under the Constitution of the United States everyone has rights and obligations. One of these rights is to a trial by a jury of your peers. In helping to determine the truth and reconstruct past events, evidence is presented and argued to a body of fair and impartial men and women, the jury.

First, let me explain how you came to be here. Your name was randomly selected by our computer from various approved lists: For example, the registered voters' lists and the licensed drivers' list of Bucks County. Here in our county we use the one-day, one-trial system. This system helps save money, increases the number of citizens summoned to serve, and decreases the inconvenience of serving. What this means is that instead of calling jurors for two weeks, jurors now serve only one day or for the length of the trial if they are selected to hear a case. Jurors who are not selected to hear a case are excused at the end of the day, and their obligations to serve as jurors are fulfilled for three years. Not all jurors who are summoned actually hear a case. If you've been chosen for a jury you continue to report every day until that trial is over. The average trial lasts two days once testimony begins.

Another important part of the one-day, one-trial system is the stand-by juror. This is a person who remains on call and is called to the courthouse if the anticipated number of cases to be tried requires more jurors than is originally estimated. Once you are called to the courthouse, the stand-by juror becomes a regular juror. As with a regular juror, your obligation is completed when you are excused at the end of the day.

Upon entering today, you should have signed your summons for jury duty. Please inform us if there are any address changes or you are an employee and are paid by the Bucks County government. You have been issued a juror badge and a juror number. We'll talk more about the juror badge later.

Regardless whether you are selected or not, every jury receives an exit questionnaire. Your answers to these questionnaires help us improve our jury system and are useful in preparation of comparative statistics. Your responses on the exit questionnaire are strictly voluntary and confidential.

Let's talk a little about the jury system. There are two kinds of juries -- a trial jury and a grand jury. A trial jury decides the outcome of a trial. This is the most common type of jury and the type for which you will be considered. Trial jurors serve on one of two kinds of cases: Civil or criminal. A civil case is a dispute between two or more parties. The party who initiates the lawsuit is the plaintiff. The suit is brought against the party called the defendant. These parties may be individuals, corporations, or government entities. In many civil cases a unanimous decision is not needed for a verdict. In civil cases the jury must decide the question of liability and the amount of monetary compensation, if any, to be awarded.

A criminal case is a dispute between the Commonwealth and an individual or corporation accused of breaking the law. The District Attorney's Office represents the state. The party accused of the crime is the defendant. He or she is represented by an attorney referred to as defense counsel. A decision in a criminal case must be unanimous. To render a verdict in a criminal trial, the verdict must be unanimous. If the verdict is not unanimous, there is not a verdict. In civil trials, however, it does not have to be unanimous. Where five-sixths of the jury agrees on a verdict, that shall constitute a verdict. Five-sixths of 12 is 10. Below 12 jurors a verdict requires one less than the entire jury.

In addition to members of the jury there are courtroom personnel, each of whom has, like you, an important role. The judge presides over the trial and is responsible for conducting the proceedings according to the law. The judge makes sure that only legally admissible evidence is seen and heard by the jury.

Next we have the tipstaff. They are responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom. They formally open the court when the judge enters the courtroom and will act according to the judge's direction. They in a sense guard the jury and see to their needs. They call witnesses, attorneys, and other persons when needed in the courtroom. Any questions or problems you may have should be brought to the tipstaff's attention.

Next we have the court stenographer, also known as the court reporter. They record the trial testimony verbatim and then later produce a written documentation of the proceedings. Once transcribed the court reporter certifies the accuracy of the transcription and prepares certified copies. They may also be called upon to read from notes in the courtroom or in the judge's chambers.

Then there is the court clerk, also known as the minute clerk. They are responsible for keeping accurate records of all courtroom proceedings, for swearing in all witnesses and members of the jury, and for picking up files prior to court hearings and returning them to the appropriate court office for docketing.

Last but not least, a uniformed deputy sheriff may be assigned to the courtroom for security purposes in criminal trials.

Now that you know the principal parties let's get back to the jury. There are days when, for a variety of reasons, delays occur in the attachment of jury trials and jurors may not be used at all. Yet the jury trial is so essential to our legal system that jurors must be available and prepared to be empaneled on short notice. A juror's time has not been wasted when a civil trial ends in a settlement or a criminal case in a guilty plea. Even parties who thought they would never settle do so when faced with a jury trial. The idea of being assigned before a judge and jury or even the presence of a jury motivates settlements.

The first stage in the actual trial of a jury case is to conduct the voir dire examination for the purpose of obtaining a jury panel. The term "voir dire" comes from old French meaning "to speak the truth." It's a preliminary examination of prospective jurors by the judge and the attorneys to determine if you can be impartial. They may be questioning you on your background, your education, occupation, and whether you know any of the people involved in the case, such as the lawyers, their clients, their witnesses, or anything about the facts of the case itself. During the voir dire an attorney may object to a prospective juror for a specific reason, such as a prior knowledge of the case or possible sympathy or prejudice which the attorney feels might affect the juror's objectivity. This is called a challenge for cause. There are also peremptory challenges, where an attorney does not need to explain why he objects to a possible juror. Through this process the lawyers will help to insure a fair trial. A juror that is excused should not take it as a personal insult or rejection.

Generally after the jury is selected the trial begins. Once on a jury it's your duty to act fairly and impartially. The judge may begin with some opening remarks, followed by opening speeches by the attorneys. Witnesses will then be called and questioned. This process is known as the direct and cross examination. Most of the evidence you will hear is witness testimony. Listen carefully and don't prejudge.

After the evidence has been introduced the attorneys will give their closing arguments. Closing arguments are not evidence, just the counsel's interpretation of the facts. The judge will then charge or instruct the jury on the law that applies in the case. The judge is the final authority on the law and the jury must accept the law exactly as the judge presents it. After you've been instructed by the judge, the jury is then escorted to the jury room for deliberation. The jury room is a private room in which the jury is free to discuss the case and reach a decision. The jurors may talk to no one except the judge if they have any questions.

Your first job will be to select a foreperson. The foreperson is a jury discussion leader during the deliberations. This person will encourage a full exchange of comments, opinions, and observations from all members of the jury. This person will also communicate any requests or questions on behalf of the jury to the judge in the courtroom. The foreperson is also responsible for managing the balloting.

In your deliberations there may be differences of opinions and disagreements. You, the jurors, should analyze the evidence, decide the facts from the evidence presented, apply the rules of law that the judge has given you, and then vote on your verdict.

You should also know that it is a violation of your duty as a juror to conduct your own investigation of the case. Do not visit any location described or try to question witnesses on your own. The lawyers in the trial bear the complete responsibility for presenting the evidence.

After the jury has reached a verdict, the jury returns to the courtroom and announces the verdict. The verdict is the final decision of the jury. In a criminal case the verdict is guilty or not guilty. In a civil case, if the verdict is for the plaintiff the jury may be required to make a decision about any financial damages award. The jury must keep the verdict secret until the judge requests it in open court. Do not convey the verdict prematurely through a facial gesture or other body language. The attorneys may want the jury polled. This means they will ask each juror for his or her vote to insure that no mistakes were made or unfair pressure applied by other jurors.

While serving on jury duty we ask you to maintain a responsible and dignified manner. Your role is an important one and worthy of your respect. Please wear clothing that is comfortable yet appropriate for the occasion -- no shorts, tee-shirts, or blue jeans.

Firearms and weapons are not permitted in the courthouse. If you are carrying any type of weapon or firearm please report it to any court officer so they can secure it properly. This is for your safety and that of your fellow jurors.

Smoking is not allowed in any part of the building, and because of security reasons, jurors are not allowed on the first floor. There is no food, drink, or chewing gum allowed in the courtroom. Recording devices, cell phones, pagers, or any kind of electronics are likewise not permitted in the courtroom. Remember to wear your juror badge at all times. This badge clearly identifies you as a juror and serves as a reminder to others not to talk about a pending case in your presence.

Until a verdict has been recorded in the courtroom, do not speak to anyone about the case, even after you leave the courthouse. This includes your family, friends, and even fellow jurors. If anyone tries to discuss the case, politely refuse and tell court officials immediately. It is a serious offense to try to unfairly influence a juror. Do not listen to radio, television, or read newspaper accounts of your case. The only time you are permitted to discuss the case is when you are sent to the jury room to deliberate with fellow jurors.

If you are selected as a juror you will be paid according to the fees set and fixed by state law. You are paid immediately for your first day of service. If you are chosen to serve on a jury, payment for any additional days will be mailed to you.

If you need proof of jury duty for your employer please see the court assistants for a work slip.

We strive to maintain a very well run system in the Bucks County Courts, and are often used as a model for other counties. However, we're always searching for ways to improve, and your response to our exit questionnaire helps us in that respect.

Now, while waiting you may write, read, use laptop computers, or engage in other quiet activities. Cell phones may not be used in the jury lounge. Please step outside the building to use cell phones.

As mentioned earlier, please remain only on this floor. The ladies' and men's rest rooms can be found by making a left when exiting the jury lounge and following the signs down the hall. Drinking fountains and pay telephones are available outside the jury lounge. Vending machines are also available for your convenience.

Lunch is at least one hour, beginning approximately at 12:30. The business day generally ends at 4:30 p.m. Once again, the courthouse is a smoke-free environment and smoking is restricted to designated areas outside the building. Please use the outside ashtrays provided.

Whether or not you serve on a jury, you're serving your community. Your participation is what makes the justice system work. We hope your experience will be a positive one. Thank you.