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Participatory Citizenship: American Democracy and the Jury System

Project Summary
How can the entire university campus, working in the courtroom, in the community, and on campus, be engaged in efforts to improve participation in and the experience of jury service while helping college students learn about the jury system and their role as citizens in a democracy?

University students will provide support services to the court system to encourage, study, celebrate, and describe jury service as an essential feature of American democracy and as a unique expression of citizenship. The core focus of the activities will be on Promotion and Outreach, Research and Design, and the Use of Technology.

Promotion and Outreach
· Jury newsletters
· Public awareness campaigns
· K-12 programs
· Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
· Film on jury service, film festival, film series on campus, in the community
· Links to historical societies, other agencies, and other ways to use jury pool waiting time

Research and Design
· Research on response rates
· Practices across a state or region
· Generational differences (attention span, level of education, etc)
· Design of the entire experience
· Learning theory, learning styles, cyber juries, mock juries

Technology
· Web support for jury service: voir dire, questionnaire, location of services provided, jury process, etc
· Graphics, jury propos, especially for the indigent
· Technology for public defenders

Subject Areas
· Death penalty, especially jury research
· Implementation of new ABA standards
· Jury service in different countries




Participants
Administrative Office of the United States Courts
Bowling Green State University
Central Washington University
Fort Hays State University
Illinois State University
Indiana University East
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Kennesaw State University
Lamar University-Beaumont
Metropolitan State University
Morehead State University
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Rowan University
Salisbury University
Sam Houston State University
Southwest Minnesota State University
SUNY, Plattsburgh
University of Central Oklahoma
University of South Carolina, Aiken
University of West Georgia
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin, Superior
Wayne State University
Western Kentucky University

Partner Organizations
National Center for State Courts
American Judicature Society
American Bar Association
Council for Court Excellence



Resources
American Judicature Society (AJS)
AJS works to maintain the independence and integrity of the courts and increase public understanding of the justice system. AJS is a non-partisan organization with a national membership of judges, lawyers, and other citizens interested in the administration of justice.

Jury Center
This website provides an in-depth description of juries, a FAQ sheet about juries, and other useful links and information about the American judicial system.

National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
NCSC is dedicated to facilitating the ability of citizens to fulfill their role within the justice system and enhancing their confidence and satisfaction with jury service by helping judges and court staff improve jury management.

American Bar Association, We The Jury Project
This project seeks to educate high school students regarding jury service. We The Jury provides valuable public service while at the same time educating those individuals who will one day stand to deliver justice in this context of their civic duty.