Sep 20, 2005 2 min read

I read the article about the schoolteacher complaining about being summoned for jury duty in Fayette County. My first reaction was, ” What a crybaby, it’s our civic duty.” I was summoned for the same jury duty, on Aug. 29, and looked forward to it. I have served on juries before, in other jurisdictions, and enjoyed it. It was a learning experience about our legal system and our civic responsibilities and obligations.

However, my opinion has changed, at least as far as serving in Fayette County.

I was in the courthouse for 31/2 days, and while called for two panels, both were excused before the cases started. At least one person I spoke to was not called for any panel, while some people were called for multiple panels and sat on two juries.

The first day the “restroom” situation was unsatisfactory, with only one mixed-gender restroom on the second floor, one ladies room on the third floor, one seat available in the ladies room in the basement (I was told this by one of the ladies on jury duty), and no running water in the only sink in the basement men’s room. At times the line for the restroom was 10 people long. While the situation was somewhat better the rest of the week, I do not think the facility was adequate for 350 jurors and the general public who had access to the courthouse.

While waiting for panel selection, we were periodically allowed to sit in on trials going on. Mostly we sat in a hot, damp hallway, which was not really a healthy environment.

There was no information about parking provided to the jurors in the summons they received, and those not familiar with Uniontown had difficulty in finding parking. One juror told me he had received a ticket; apparently he inadvertently parked where he was not supposed to.

Based upon my experiences in other jurisdictions, I think the court in Fayette County can do a better job for our citizens summoned for jury duty, which might encourage them to want to serve.

Some of these ideas include only calling a juror in on those days and times when they will be needed to serve on a panel, providing floor fans to circulate air on hot days, and providing parking information.

As it stands, I do not look forward to serving in Fayette County again.

Paul J. Tomecek

Adah