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Recognizing and honoring the efforts of jurors who fulfill one of the most important civic duties and designating January 30, 2020 as Juror Appreciation Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, The right to a trial by jury is a core value of American citizenship, and our courts depend upon citizens to serve as jurors; and
WHEREAS, The obligation and privilege to serve as a juror is as fundamental to our democracy as is the right to vote, and service by citizens as jurors is indispensable to the judicial system; and
WHEREAS, Citizens should be encouraged to respond when summoned for jury service; and
WHEREAS, A continuing and imperative goal for the courts, the bar, and civic organizations is to ensure that jury selection and jury service are fair, effective, and not unduly burdensome to our community; and
WHEREAS, Juror Appreciation Day will include activities in furtherance of the following goals: (1) applauding the efforts of jurors who fulfill this most important civic duty; (2) educating the public about jury duty and the importance of jury service; (3) ensuring that the responsibility of jury service is shared equitably among citizens and that a fair proportion of the community is called for jury service; (4) ensuring that all jurors are treated with respect and that their service is not unduly burdensome; (5) providing jurors with tools that will assist their decision-making; and (6) continuing to improve the jury system in the City of Philadelphia by encouraging productive dialogue between jurors and court officials; and
WHEREAS, The courts, the bar, civic associations, and individual citizens should have greater appreciation for the jury system and for the thousands of citizens who annually give of their time and talents to serve on juries; now, therefore be it,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the efforts of jurors who fulfill one of the most important civic duties and further designates January 30, 2020 as Juror Appreciation Day in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, in recognition and honor of all of the jurors who serve in this city.
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