New Jersey Judiciary Recognizes Jurors’ Contributions to Justice

TRENTON — As part of its Law Week events, the New Jersey Judiciary is recognizing the contributions to justice made by New Jersey citizens who serve as jurors.
Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, said, “This year’s Law Day theme focuses on the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which extends the rights of citizenship—including the right to due process and equal protection under the law—to anyone born or naturalized the United States. Because a trial by a jury of one’s peers is a fundamental right for all Americans, we are grateful to all of the jurors whose service is vital to the work of the courts and the delivery of justice to the people of New Jersey.
“The Judiciary recognizes the extraordinary service that jurors provide, and we endeavor to make juror service convenient, to operate efficiently, and to provide an experience that demonstrates the fairness of the justice system in New Jersey,” he said.
The Judiciary continues to work to enhance juror service for New Jersey citizens. In addition to allowing individuals to respond to their jury summons online rather than mailing in their response, the Judiciary has implemented call-off procedures to ensure that only the number of jurors needed are required to report to the courthouse. Each Superior Court posts daily reporting information to the NJ Courts website (njcourts.gov) to help jurors receive the most up-to-date information about whether they need to report for the next court session. Jurors can sign up for email and text reminders about their scheduled jury service, and they can download a mobile app (NJ Juror) which provides helpful information including directions, parking and contact information for each courthouse.
“Our legal system could not function without the service of every day citizens serving as jurors,” Judge Grant said. “A jury composed of our peers is an essential part of the concept of justice.”
A New Jersey resident can be summoned for one of three types of jury service: as a petit juror, a grand juror, or a state grand juror. Petit jury service includes criminal and civil trials. Petit jurors determine defendants’ guilt or innocence in criminal trials or determine liability or damages in civil trials.
Grand jurors determine whether there is sufficient evidence to move forward with criminal charges against a defendant. A grand juror can serve either in his or her county or also can serve in Trenton on a state grand jury that has statewide jurisdiction and representation.