When Athens City Prosecutor Lisa Eliason takes a case to jury trial, she makes sure it is absolutely necessary.
With a single jury trial costing anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000, Eliason said prosecutors have to evaluate cases to find an outcome that is both acceptable and inexpensive for taxpayers. Those outcomes can include plea bargains or lesser charges.
That's how our system works
Eliason said. We wrestle with those decisions.
If a jury trial is ever needed, however, Athens County Municipal Court is well prepared, said a deputy clerk who declined to give her name, citing court practice.
Each month, municipal court sends out about 50 questionnaires to a list of potential jurors to fill eight spots on a jury. From that list, compiled from registered voters and licensed drivers, about 30 will report on jury trial dates, scheduled for the second and fourth Thursday of every month.
The process at Athens County Court of Common Pleas is very similar, jury and assignment commissioner Khristie Mitchell said. Felony trials require 12 jurors, which means Mitchell sends out roughly 350 questionnaires in hopes of getting a pool of around 50 potential jurors.
Since the start of 2006, municipal court has held six jury trials, while common pleas court has held 13, according to court records.
Just for showing up, jurors in both courts are paid $20. A lucky few can make $30 a day G a French phrase figuratively meaning to speak the truth the jury selection process can last between 30 minutes and three hours, Eliason said. Counsel for the prosecution and defense question jurors to gauge their understanding of the legal process and uncover any biases they might hold.
During an OVI case, jurors might be asked for their thoughts on alcohol, Eliason said. A juror who watches any popular crime drama might be looked at as a hard sell.
They have to understand that I can't present the kind of testimony they see on TV
Eliason said.
Trying a case to a jury instead of only a judge presents its own set of problems. Juries don't understand the law's intricacies the same way a judge might. This forces prosecutors to fill in the blanks
Eliason said.
Jury trials can also present a challenge for Ohio University students. Because registered voters are included in the jury pool, any student who votes in Athens can be called to serve.
A lot of students don't understand that they change their residency when they register to vote here
Mitchell said.
The OU Student Handbook lists jury duty as an excused absence; however, Dean of Students Terry Hogan said that any special arrangements are usually made between the student and faculty.
Despite not always being happy about the inconvenience, students usually take jury duty very seriously
Eliason said.
To make sure that devoted feeling sticks, common pleas court jurors are given as many comforts as possible. A lunch break and frequent rest breaks are scheduled. If a jury's deliberation lasts through meal times, the court will provide dinner and simple snacks.
All in all
it runs pretty smooth
Mitchell said.
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