Fix the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Jury Duty System

The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court System needs a new system for how they do jury duty. At present the system is tedious, a waste of time and a waste of taxpayer’s dollars. The system has people show up early in the morning just as the court is opening and does not call anyone for a jury until around noon. People have to wait the entire morning on the county dime just to find out that they will not be needed for a jury pool. They should have orientation and then only call the number of people needed for a jury pool after the judge decides that one is needed. I saw where after the individuals were picked for a pool they were told to come back after lunch to be picked for a jury.

If the court system demands on making people show up to do their civic duty and forcing them to wait all morning before selecting 21 people for a jury pool then devise a system which educates the public on how the system works and what their civil rights are while they wait to be picked for a jury pool? Answer basic questions about how the court system works, some basic points of law and show them what a real courtroom looks like during orientation.

I have always supported the courts and believe that the judges do a great job when it comes to justice in this city but this is one area of the court system which badly needs fixing. The court system has had to borrow money just to pay juries so why have people waiting if they are not going to be used for a jury. The common sense approach would be to call individuals to come down either in the afternoon or the following morning once it is determined that a jury is needed. The system as it is at present is a failure which is only costing the taxpayers far too much money which could be better used to help support the needs of the courts.