Recently, some good friends have been summonsed to jury duty. Instead of calling me to ask how they could “get out of it”, both of them had a good attitude and went to serve willingly. Jury duty is the cornerstone of our judicial system and is a key to good citizenship. Unfortunately, most of us take jury duty for granted. The federal and state constitutions guarantee our right to be tried by our peers. Jury service is not perfect but without it, our judicial system would collapse. Jury service may seem to be a big inconvenience, but other than voting, acting as a juror is really your only other civic responsibility in this country. It is really a small sacrifice to make for the freedoms we enjoy.

Thomas Jefferson said “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” We agree completely. as trial lawyers, the right to a jury trial is important to our clients.

My high school’s motto was “Freedom with Responsibility.” As a teenager, it was easy to make fun of the motto. As an adult, and as a trial lawyer, I so easily see its wisdom. The small burden of jury service is a small price to pay for the privileges and protections we enjoy. To whom much is given, much is required. Our judicial system depends upon the jurors who serve. The next time you get a jury summons, take the time to participate and do your part.