The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is set to celebrate Jury Appreciation Week starting Monday, May 5. This event is dedicated to recognizing residents of Maricopa County who fulfill their civic responsibility by serving on juries.
Presiding Judge Joseph Welty will inaugurate the week with a special greeting to jurors in downtown Phoenix at 8:30 a.m. Jurors throughout the week will be treated to refreshments, and those on longer trials will receive a complimentary lunch. Welty emphasized, “Jury duty grants us the power to ensure that our legal system remains accessible, fair, and impartial – seeded in the very ideals our Constitution upholds.”
Raymond Billotte, Judicial Branch Administrator, extended gratitude to all who have served on juries and acknowledged the significant role of employers who support employees participating in jury duty. “We depend on your support for those who perform their civic duty,” he said.
The Court has continually focused on improving the jury service process based on juror feedback. One notable improvement is the introduction of Remote Case Specific Questionnaires. This allows for prescreening of jurors, reducing the need for them to attend court physically. In 2024, this approach excused 54% of jurors from appearing in person, saving the court over $100,000 in reimbursements.
Additionally, juror engagement has been enhanced with increased wages, providing empaneled jurors up to $300 per day for lost wages, which has decreased the financial hardships that potential jurors might face.
All residents of Maricopa County over 18, a U.S. citizen, and not convicted of a felony are required to serve, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution. Citizens over 75 can request to be excused, and those who serve are exempt for the next 18 months. In fiscal year 2024, the Judicial Branch summoned over 430,000 jurors.
The Maricopa County eJuror System is available online for those summoned, and it allows individuals to qualify for service, request postponements, or seek disqualification. Residents asked to serve but who find themselves unable to attend should communicate with the court to potentially receive a postponement or release.
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