Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                                 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                               25-127

                     IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                           October 3, 2023

To honor the exceptional service and commitment of the citizens who perform jury duty in the

      District of Columbia Courts and declare the week of October 2 to October 6, 2023, Juror

      Appreciation Week in the District of Columbia.

          WHEREAS, the right to a trial by jury is one of the core principles of American democracy;

        WHEREAS, the obligation and privilege to serve as a juror are as fundamental to

citizenship as the right to vote;

       WHEREAS, participation in jury service is integral to the relationship between government

and the people;

          WHEREAS, jury service is a significant way to participate in the democratic process;

          WHEREAS, the American justice system and its courts depend upon citizens to serve as

jurors;

       WHEREAS, jurors promote fairness and make incredibly impactful judgements in legal

proceedings;

        WHEREAS, participation in jury service is a testament to the civic virtue and responsibility

of District citizens;

     WHEREAS, all citizens should be encouraged to see the value in service and respond when

summoned;

       WHEREAS, a continuing and imperative goal for the courts, the bar, and the broader

community is to ensure that jury selection and service are fair, effective, and not unduly

burdensome;

      WHEREAS; every person who lives, works, or travels in the District is impacted by the

outcomes of jury trials;

          WHEREAS, citizens serving as jurors represent the larger community and its values;

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                                                                    ENROLLED ORIGINAL

       WHEREAS, District adults are mailed summonses at more than triple the national rate;

and

       WHEREAS, District adults are impaneled on juries at more than double the national rate.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Juror Appreciation Week Recognition Resolution of 2023”.

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors the exceptional service and

commitment of the citizens who perform jury duty in the District of Columbia Courts and declares

the week of October 2 to October 6, 2023, “Juror Appreciation Week” in the District of Columbia.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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