The 6th amendment stipulates that all citizens of the U.S. have a right to an expedient public trial attended by an impartial jury. That's why it's crucial that the courts have a complete list of potential jurors in a given area. This is one of many subjects discussed by Jacqueline Goodman when recently visiting California lawmakers in Sacramento. Accompanied by her California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ) delegation, attorney Goodman advocated on behalf of Senate Bill 310 - Jury Selection, which aims to change how juror lists are created in the state.
Current laws stipulate that lists of prospective jurors must encompass a "representative cross-section of the population served by the court". These lists are compiled using names from the list of registered voters, as well as licensed drivers or those that hold identification cards. A third group, which is made up of tax filers, would be included within the list used for jury selection. After the removal of duplicate names, attorney Goodman and her delegation feel that these new lists would be a more accurate representation of the local population.
Jurors are integral in protecting the rights of citizens brought to trial, and juries also play an essential role in upholding tenents of the criminal justice system. Including tax filers in the list of jurors ensures the selection process has a broad range of citizens to choose from. It also ensures that each citizen is able to play their part in the justice system, which should be considered an honor when called to serve.
Attorney Goodman also takes great honor in being a servant of the criminal justice system. Her clients can rest assured of a passionate defense, as she works diligently on behalf of those accused of serious crimes. Contact her office today to schedule a consultation.
