LETTER: PROSPECTIVE JURORS' REQUESTS ARE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED

To the editor:

I feel that I must respond to a statement in the July 27 Speak Out regarding jury duty. For the past year and a half I have served as presiding judge of the 32nd Judicial Circuit which consists of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties. One of the responsibilities of that position is to review the requests of prospective jurors to be excused from jury service.

Prospective jurors are sent a questionnaire and a re allowed to state reasons why they feel they should not serve. Some individuals, such as physicians and the clergy, may be excused if they wish, since there is a statute which provides for this. Other individuals may state reasons that they feel would justify special consideration.

The Speak Out caller referred to "75-year-old ladies with disabilities" who were not excused from jury service. I am not personally aware of any such individuals.

At one time people of certain ages were automatically excused from jury duty, but federal guidelines regarding age discrimination ended that practice. Additionally, individuals with disabilities are also protected from discrimination. The elderly and the disabled cannot be prohibited from jury service. However, some individuals in those categories request relief from jury service, and such requests are routinely granted. Anyone with a physical illness which does not rise to the level of a disability can show a doctor's excuse and be considered for relief.

In this circuit, jury panels are called in for three-month periods. Customarily, jurors are called in on not more than three occasions. Upon completion of three days, they are not recalled unless it is a particularly busy term.

It is both a privilege and a responsibility to serve on a jury. All citizens are encouraged to do so, but no reasonable request for excuse is ignored. Without the cooperation of concerned citizens, the justice system could not continue to provide adequate legal services. The judges and clerks in this circuit appreciate the sacrifices made by the citizens of the three counties in assisting int he orderly administration of our justice system.

WILLIAM L. SYLER, Presiding Judge

32nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri

Cape Girardeau