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June 4, 2007

Watch your language: It's jury 'service,' not duty

In Rhode Island, your "jury duty" is officially over, out of date, so 2006. From now on, it's your "jury service."

At least, that's the new word from state Jury Commissioner Eugene J. McMahon, who has announced he has instructed staff to "discontinue the use of the words "jury duty" when summoning prospective jurors for a case.

McMahon has asked judges and court employees "to use the same words when speaking of the process," according to a news release.

“The phrase ‘to serve’ has a more specific connotation as it relates to jury service,” McMahon said in the statement. “It is an aid, a help, which is the function jurors are asked to do -- aid and help in the function of our unique jury system.

“After over 14 years of involvement with the jury system, I have found the overwhelming majority of citizens who have served as jurors have found it to be a pleasurable experience,” McMahon said.

The new word gets the good word from Superior Court Judge Joseph F. Rodgers Jr., who reviewed more than 30,000 evaluations "submitted by people who have served" -- there's that word again -- "and that most give favorable responses."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Providence and Kent county jurors are summoned for up to two days or one trial at a time. If selected for trial, jurors serve until it ends and then are dismissed. Jury trials average three to five days, according to the release. If jurors have not been chosen for a trial after two days, they are dismissed.

In Newport and Washington counties, jurors are summoned for one day or one trial. They are dismissed on the first day "if not selected to serve for a trial" -- that's another "serve," if you're keeping count.

But it's not the last.

“So remember, if you should be called to jury service, you will become a proud citizen who has rendered a valuable service to your state and country,” McMahon said.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:55 AM | Permalink

Comments

Additionally, the following terminology changes will go into effect immediately.

Highways and Roadways will now be identified as "Pothole Farms".

The "I-Way Project" will now be called "That Horrible Teal Thing".

Providence Place Mall will now be called "Escalator Suicide Mall".

Undocumented Workers will again be properly called "Illegal Aliens".

And all Rhode Island signage will have "The Prostitution Capital of the Northeast" proudly emblazoned on it.

Greg | June 4, 2007 9:51 AM link

Greg, for someone who always has such a problem with this state I have a great idea for you...MOVE.

Bill | June 5, 2007 2:35 PM link

June 4, 2007

Watch your language: It's jury 'service,' not duty

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