FINAL REPORT OF THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON JURY SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

The jury system in California is in crisis. This crisis manifests itse lf in public dissatisfaction with the jury system as it currently is s tructured and managed. The public is rendering its own judgment by ref using to show up for jury duty when called. Felony trials in several c ounties with large populations are now occasionally delayed because of an inability to provide sufficient jurors for the courtroom when need ed. In December 1995, the Judicial Council of California, the policy-m aking body for California's courts, appointed a Blue Ribbon Commission to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the California jury system a nd to make timely recommendations for improvement. The 26-member Commi ssion includes judges from municipal, superior and appellate courts, c ourt administrators, legislators, a representative from the Governor's office, a district attorney, defense counsel, civil practitioners, an d public defenders. The Commission conducted two full days of public h earings during March in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Commission also received written comments and reports from several interested per sons. The Commission's final report was submitted to the Judicial Coun cil in May 1996. The Commission's Report makes 60 recommendations for improvement to the California jury system and provides context for the Commission's recommendations. The Report also includes appendices pro viding proposed revisions to the California codes, rules of court, and standards of judicial administration. Additional appendices provide s tandards adopted by the American Bar Association and the State Bar Boa rd of Governors, as well as statistics comparing the California jury s ystem with those of sister states. A minority report prepared by the C onsumer Attorneys of California is included as Appendix P.