Missouri Bar honors jurors for civic service

To honor Missouri jurors for their service, judges, lawyers and court personnel throughout the state will observe Juror Appreciation Week April 29-May 3. The Supreme Court of Missouri three years ago established the statewide ob-servance of Juror Appreciation Week.

More than half of all eligible Mis-sourians have been called to juror duty, and about one-quarter of those called have served, according to a recent survey by DecisionQuest, a trial consultant company. During the week, Missouri judges will express their thanks to individuals who are summoned to jury duty some jurors will receive certificates of appreciation and others will receive special welcomes from the judges as they arrive at courthouses for jury duty.

"The contribution that jurors make to our system of justice is never taken for granted not by lawyers, judges, or anyone who has ever been involved in a trial," said Theresa L.F. Levings, president of the Missouri Bar. "(It) is a good opportunity for all of us to recognize the significance of the contribution of the individuals who fulfill their civic responsibility by serving as jurors."