Where's the jury in Fort Bend County? Probably not in court

(2/05/07 - KTRK/FORT BEND COUNTY, TX) (KTRK) -- If you have ever been called for jury duty and then thought of a reason not to go, you are not alone.

So many people in Fort Bend County are not showing up for jury duty, a judge there even had to get people off the street for one trial.

Above the Fort Bend courthouse, one of the scales held by Lady Justice is broken. Some worry that the system of justice could be next.

Case in point, District Clerk Annie Rebecca Elliott says jury selection for the high-profile murder trial of Bart Whitaker. There were 1,200 people summoned. How many showed?

"Three hundred and eighty seven," she said.

That's total turnout of only 32%. That's a surprise, given the commitment claimed by folks we talked to around Richmond today.

"I think it's a civic duty," said resident Norris Salvadar. It's a privilege that we are to honor."

But that's better than the average for last year in Fort Bend which was nearly 29%.

"The only thing that surprises me is that it's that high," said resident Duane Chandler.

It's been a persistent problem in Fort Bend. A year and a half ago, the problem was so bad that judges began filing contempt of court charges against those who failed to appear.

Twice in the last 18 months, so few people showed up for jury duty, that a judge had to pull people in off the street and from county offices to serve.

Elliott won't rule that out again if necessary. She says the court will do whatever it takes to ensure the scales of justice work properly.

Remember, you can be fined up to $1,000 for failing to report for jury duty. Technically you can even be arrested for failing to appear.

It is worth noting that Harris County's numbers are worse even than Fort Bend's. If you compare numbers equally, their response rate to a summons is only 21%.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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