Placer County to celebrate jurors' hard work

Jurors have been vilified and glorified in films like "Twelve Angry Men" and books such as Runaway Jury. Those sitting in judgement in some high-profile trials, such as the O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson, have written tell-all books about their experiences.Carmen Electra was reportedly excused from a jury because the actress is very recognizable and was signing autographs in the courtroom.For the rest of the population, jury duty isn't all that glamorous and can be a hardship. Men and women spend days or weeks sitting in a courtroom listening to prosecution and defense attorneys spar with little recognition. But next week, jurors in Placer County will be honored."We want every juror to feel appreciated and to know how much we value their time and commitment to our system of justice," said Jerry White Turtle, deputy jury commissioner for Placer County Superior Court. "We hold Juror Appreciation Week because we ask them to give up a big part of their life."She said the only recognition many jurors get is a thank-you from the judge.Beginning Monday jurors around the county will be treated to continental breakfasts, lunches and even raffle prizes in a gesture of sincere gratitude from the courts.White Turtle said this year there will be gift certificates for lunches and coffee.Special treatment aside, receiving a jury summons in the mail could send some scampering for the nearest trash can. Jurors are paid a small stipend and are reimbursed for mileage. "I've (received) several summons, but have never been called to sit on a jury," said Gwen Collier, of Roseville. "It would probably be interesting if it was a good case."Jurors' names are selected at random from lists of registered voters and Department of Motor Vehicles information. They can be summoned once a calendar year. In Placer County jurors receive $15 a day and $0.34 a mile from their home to the court - one way.There are ways to avoid serving on a jury aside from ignoring the summons."On the summons there are some disqualification points," White Turtle said. "For example, if you're not an American citizen, a felon or a police officer."Some prospective jurors get creative with excuses to avoid serving and they've run the gamut from "my dog is sick," to "I don't have a ride."For the most part jurors in Placer County step up to the plate and do their civic duty, White Turtle said."They are conscientious citizens who want to do the right thing," she said. "For the most part our citizens in Placer County are willing and want to do their jury duty."Failure to call or show up for jury duty results in a follow up call from White Turtle requesting the no-show to explain why they skipped out on duty."Most of the time citizens will call in and explain why they couldn't come in and they'll get a new date," White Turtle said.There is also the possibility that a judge could impose a fine for failure to appear to the tune of $1,500, she said.It's interesting to note that businesses are not required to pay employees for time off while they are on jury duty. They must allow the employee to take the time, but don't have to pay them.Placer County has been celebrating Juror Appreciation Week for the past six years.The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldoculntyrmedia.com