Connecticut Senate Bill SB00886

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/11
• Refer: 2/3/11

Caption

An Act Concerning The Location Of Jury Service.

Impact

The implementation of SB00886 is designed to reinforce the connection between jurors and their communities, potentially increasing civic involvement and fairness in jury selections. By limiting the geographic boundaries for where jurors can be summoned, the bill aims to ensure that jurors are more familiar with the community context of the cases they adjudicate. Furthermore, it seeks to alleviate the inconvenience faced by jurors who might otherwise have to travel significant distances to fulfill their jury service obligations.

Summary

SB00886, titled 'An Act Concerning The Location Of Jury Service', aims to amend the existing regulations regarding jury service in the state. The bill specifically addresses the process of summoning jurors, ensuring that no juror will be called to serve at a court location outside the judicial district or geographical area that encompasses their town of residence. This change is intended to create a more localized and accessible jury service system, aligning the juror's service location closely with their home community.

Contention

While there are many benefits to the proposed changes in SB00886, there are also notable points of contention regarding its implementation. Critics may argue that limiting jurors to their local courts could create logistical challenges in areas with smaller populations, where the number of available jurors may not meet the demands of the court. Furthermore, the bill raises concerns about potential disparities in jury selection fairness between urban and rural areas, where populations may vary significantly. Overall, the discourse around SB00886 suggests a balance between accessibility of jury service and the practical realities of court operations.