Opinion ID: 1280583
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Juror Dismissal Matter

Text: A juror who had two young children and could not find anyone to care for them while she was on jury duty brought them with her to respondent's court. The juror advised a court employee of her situation. The employee told the juror that she had to go into the courtroom and discuss the matter with respondent. When the juror entered the courtroom, respondent, in a loud and harsh tone, told her she could not bring the children into the courtroom, pointed his finger at her and told her to leave. The juror reported back to the employee and was again instructed she had to go into the courtroom and discuss the matter with respondent. When the juror explained to the employee that respondent had just told her to leave the courtroom, the employee told the juror to go home. The events were very embarrassing to the juror. Respondent represents that he was harsh with the juror because she was late to court, she should have brought up the issue of the lack of adequate care for the children prior to the date of jury service, and she should have left the children unattended in the hall and come into his courtroom without the children to address the issue of being excused from jury duty. Respondent is now aware that, pursuant to S.C.Code Ann. § 14-78-50, the juror was, as a matter of law, entitled to be excused from jury duty, that his staff should have advised the juror of the requirement of providing an affidavit as required by the statute, and that it was respondent's responsibility to have such issues addressed without respondent causing embarrassment to potential jurors under such circumstances.