Chief Justice McFarland summoned for jury duty

TOPEKA—Chief Justice Kay McFarland has an unusually busy schedule Monday a.m. Let's see, arrange projects for staff, work on opinions, and, oh yes, report for jury duty in Shawnee County District Court.

In what may be a historical first, but certainly the first time in the past 35 years or more, a sitting chief justice has been summoned for jury service. She also will have a first-hand look at how Shawnee Countians are treated when they report for this civic duty.

The summons seems particularly timely in view of jury reform measures Chief Justice McFarland initiated three years ago. Since then, she has commissioned jury exit surveys in six judicial districts (which included a mix of rural, medium, and urban jurisdictions) measuring juror satisfaction, or lack of it, pushed for an increase in payments for jury service, implemented a juror employer appreciation award, featured nationally recognized speakers on best practices in jury management at judicial conferences, and otherwise taken steps to encourage efficient use and treatment of persons reporting for jury duty.

"We take the important role that our citizens fill in participating in the judicial branch of their government very seriously," Chief Justice McFarland commented. "The jury system is the very foundation on which the judicial branch of government is based. Juries are a significant part of the peaceful resolution of our disputes. I believe it is important that jurors' needs are met wherever possible in order that their jury service is as meaningful and painless as possible," she said."

The chief justice is to report at 8:45 a.m. Monday to the office of jury coordinator.