HBA Programs to Educate Teens, Adults on Importance
of Jury Service

By Tara Shockley

Community outreach programs of the Houston Bar Associ-ation this year will focus on the importance of jury service and the jury system in Harris County. Statistics show that only 18-20 percent of those summoned actually report to jury duty, and there is even lower participation from certain neighborhoods in the county, making it more difficult to empanel a jury that is a true cross-section of the population.
HBA President Randall O. Sorrels hopes to improve the show-up rate for jury duty in Harris County by increasing awareness of the importance of jury service and the need for participation by all demographic and geographic segments.
“Just as diversity is important in the make-up of our law firms, businesses and government, diversity is equally important in the make-up of our juries and jury panels,” said Sorrels. “I believe the group dynamic process the jury system was designed for works best when all segments of our society are equally represented.”
The educational component of the program will have a two-pronged focus. This fall, the program will concentrate on educating high school seniors, many of whom are 18 and eligible for jury duty. On August 24th, the HBA hosted a luncheon for superintendents and curriculum directors of Harris County school districts, as well as principals of private high schools. The event at Brennan’s introduced the program to administrators and educators and encouraged them to urge participation among the high schools in their districts. Eighteen of 26 local districts and a number of private high schools were represented.
Teams of judges and attorneys will make presentations on jury service to all interested seniors in local high schools. The hour-long, interactive dialogues will teach students how jury service is both a right and a responsibility, and will encourage lifelong participation in the system. The HBA has compiled comprehensive written materials for both presenters and schools. Materials include information on the history of the jury system, legal terminology, fact vs. myth on jury service, lesson plans, games, videos and a resource list. Each school will receive a set of the materials to use as a permanent resource in its library.
The HBA recruited speakers from among all Harris County judges, from municipal to federal courts. Attorneys were recruited through the HBA Speakers Bureau, chaired by Elizabeth Black Berry, Michael Essmyer and M.S. “Frost” Haenchen, as well as from a number of committees and the general HBA membership.
As of press time, 70 presentations have been scheduled in 23 high schools.
“Our goal this fall is to emphasize the importance of the jury system and jury service at the entry level – age 18. We hope our high school teachers will make this a permanent part of their curriculum and will reinforce the fact that the most direct way to be involved in the democratic process is through voting and serving on a jury,” said Sorrels. “And arguably, a person’s vote on a jury can have a more direct effect on our society than their vote in a large election, although both votes are very important.”
The HBA will distribute to students a special Houston Chronicle insert on jury service developed by the Harris County District Clerk’s Office. Handouts also will include HBA-designed bookmarks that feature the sections of the U.S. Constitution that guarantee the right to trial by jury.
In the spring, the program will focus on adult groups. Judge/attorney teams will speak to churches, civic associations, business leagues, and other community organizations about the importance of a diverse jury pool.
The HBA also is working through the media to raise awareness of the importance of jury service. Sorrels is visiting with news and public service directors to enlist their help in promoting the importance of jury service. Sorrels appeared on Channel 2’s weekend newscast just prior to the start of fall classes to talk about the high school program, and appearances on other local media are being scheduled. Astros first base coach and former player, Jose Cruz, has agreed to support the program by recording public service announcements in English and Spanish. In August, Cruz and Benny Agosto, president of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas, appeared on Spanish radio station Mega 101 to talk about the importance of Hispanics reporting for jury service. Mayor Bill White lent his support by recording a public service announcement about jury service that is currently airing on Clear Channel radio stations.
In the spring of 2005, Sorrels appeared with then-HBA President Rocky Robinson, Judge Elizabeth Ray and Judge John Wooldridge in a 30-minute educational segment on jury service that continues to air on Houston Media Source, the local public access cable channel.
KidZone, the HBA’s special Web section for children, teens, parents and educators, will feature information on jury service and the jury system. KidZone is reached by visiting the HBA Web site, www.hba.org, and clicking on the colorful KidZone icon on the homepage.
The opening of the new Civil Justice Center in the spring of 2006 will provide further opportunities to promote the importance of jury service, Sorrels said.
“We hope the media coverage of the opening of the new courthouse will allow the HBA lawyers another opportunity to speak up in support of the jury system and jury service,” Sorrels said.
For more information on the jury service initiative, or to volunteer as a speaker on jury service, please contact the Houston Bar Association Education Department at 713-759-1133.

Tara Shockley is the communications director for the Houston Bar Association and serves as managing editor of The Houston Lawyer.

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