There are a very few opportunities for the average individual to actively participate in the workings of their government. Voting, military service, and jury duty are the most common. The purpose of this activity is to clarify the need for citizen participation on trial juries, as mandated by the sixth Amendment to the Constitution. As with many situations, jury duty has been demeaned by gossip and misinformation.
Many people dread serving jury duty.
Some even go to the point of sacrificing their right to vote for fear of having their name detected by a computer scanning the voter lists for future jurors. Thus, this activity hopes to familiarize students with the system and their role in its development. However, there are many educational goals which may be realized through this activity. Statutes, the Constitution, and facts must be read in an accurate manner. Effective questions must be written by lawyers and responded to in an appropriate fashion by prospective jurors.