Opinion ID: 2640527
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: ¶ 39 This opinion should not be read as a rubber stamp for any decision the Legislature might make on the amount of fees levied in association with jury trials. The Oklahoma Constitution does not anticipate that litigants will be burdened with the entire bill for maintenance of the court system. [71] Our research indicates that Oklahoma's jury trial charges may be the highest in the nation to have been put to the reasonableness test. [72] The constitutional right to a jury trial is a personal right [73] which the Legislature cannot waive [74] through creating a fiscal barrier so unreasonable as to eliminate the right itself. When comparing the jury fee charge with a jury proceeding utilizing 6 jurors, it would appear that the $349.00 fee charge approaches the barrier beyond which the charge could not survive constitutional scrutiny. ¶ 40 Nevertheless, we recognize that a statute is the solemn act of the Legislature. [75] Although the Supreme Court is the protector of the constitution, [76] in construing the constitutionality of a statute we are not authorized to consider its propriety, wisdom, or practicability as a working proposition. Those questions are clearly and definitely established by our fundamental law to a certainty as functions of the legislative department. [77] This Court has a duty to interpret statutes to make their application constitutional rather than unconstitutional. [78] We uphold legislative enactments unless the statute is clearly, palpably and plainly inconsistent with the constitution. [79] ¶ 41 Applying these principles, considering Oklahoma jurisprudence and the majority position, we hold that the collection of a jury fee, as contemplated by 28 O.S. Supp.2004 § 152.1(A)(7), [80] is constitutional under art. 2, §§ 6 [81] and 19 of the Oklahoma Constitution. We also determine that the amount of the fee, $349.00, is reasonable when compared with the costs incurred in conducting jury proceedings generally. Finally, we determine that the $349.00 jury fee is not subject to refund if jury services are not utilized. [82]