Almost everyone has heard or told a joke about getting out of jury duty. But to Athens County Prosecutor C. David Warren, students skipping jury duty are no laughing matter.
Warren said with summer and the departure of most students, the biggest problem his office faces is getting students to come back if called to serve jury duty. When a student registers to vote in Athens County, they become Athens County citizens and are subject to jury duty.
This is not being explained to students, Warren said.
The state's voter registration sheet does not state anything about jury duty or any potential responsibilities changing residency involves.
Penny Brooks, Athens County board of elections deputy director, said the few students who register at the board's office are not told of their commitment to jury duty because it is not information the state mandates be given to voters.
However, Brooks said most students register through an organization, such as OU Student Senate. Senate advisor Michael Sostarich said senate did not do a large registration campaign this year, but they have in previous years.
While he does not know if student senators were specifically identifying responsibilities associated with voter registration, he said it is the student's responsibility to know their duties.
"It's an obligation as a citizen; it's a responsibility. It's a good thing -- you want to be judged by a jury of peers right?" And students' peers are their fellow students, Sostarich said.
Failing to show up to jury duty will result in being held in contempt of court. A warrant for the student's arrest is issued and the student could be fined any amount the judge chooses.
Warren said he has not prosecuted any students, but he often gets calls from angry parents if students are forced to take time off work. Students could be in Athens for as long as a month if selected for a jury.
Brooks said if concerns about students skipping jury duty were brought to the board of elections, the four-member body would consider requiring that all registering voters were made aware of their commitment to jury duty.
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