Pennsylvania Courts now have access to new jury management software that could save the courts money, increase juror diversity, and identify strengths and weaknesses in the jury selection system. An online diagnostic tool, The Jury Manager’s Toolbox will allow administrators to track the number of jury summons successfully delivered, completed and returned, as well as how many of those summoned reported for jury duty, were excused, or failed to report. The Toolbox was developed by the National Center for State Courts in conjunction with Pennsylvania court officials as well as those of a few other states.

State Supreme Court Justice Ronald Castille encouraged court administrators to make use of this new technology, explaining, “The jury software tool not only gives the administrator the data, it contains information on best practices in jury management to help correct inadequacies or inefficiencies that are detected, giving us an idea which courts are doing well and which could use a little help.”

Upon viewing a demonstration, Bucks County District Court Administrative Judge Doug Praul applauded the new software. “We are now poised to implement a new jury management system that will give us virtually real-time access to jury usage data. But the data alone is not enough. Jury Manager's Toolbox will give us the ability to assess this data and make meaningful decisions about juror service. The toolbox will make our jury selection process fairer, more efficient, and less burdensome on our citizens.”

For more information check out the AOPC’s news release: www.aopc.org/NR/rdonlyres/C52BB5A9-9DA3-438F-AA65-C56B315ABF7A/0/JuryTool_100712.pdf