New York’s Chief Judge Rowan Wilson wants you to consider voluntary jury service

Voluntary jury service option allows New Yorkers to serve without waiting to be summoned

November 4, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

A view of a jury booth, the cornerstone of the courtroom where citizens play a vital role in upholding justice. New Yorkers are encouraged to volunteer for jury service this month as part of Chief Judge Wilson’s Jury Appreciation Month campaign. Photo by Brett Coomer/AP

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Did you know that in New York, you can volunteer for jury duty?

In a new push to expand civic participation in the state, Chief Judge Rowan Wilson announced a monthlong series of public service announcements (PSAs) on Friday that are focused on encouraging New Yorkers to volunteer for jury duty.

The PSAs, set to run throughout November, will highlight the importance of jury service and inform viewers about how they can actively volunteer without waiting to be summoned.

This initiative, launching during what has traditionally been Juror Appreciation Week, has been extended to encompass all of November, now recognized as Jury Appreciation Month.

“Jurors — citizens from all walks of life and all backgrounds — are crucial not just to our system of justice but stand as a bulwark that preserves our democratic institutions,” Wilson said.

He added that broad participation is essential to fulfilling the Founders’ vision of a representative jury.

“Only if all participate can we attain the goal of our Founders in providing a jury of we, the people,” said Chief Judge Wilson.

The PSAs, created in partnership with Albany-based Youth FX and its affiliate, Rogue FX, feature a diverse group of New Yorkers, including court staff, judges, and private citizens, sharing their thoughts on the role of jury service in the justice system.

Youth FX, which provides young filmmakers with hands-on experience, enlisted graduates to assist in producing these PSAs along with updated orientation videos for prospective jurors. The videos available on the New York court system’s YouTube channel aim to reach the nearly one million New Yorkers called for jury duty each year.

The court system will release a new PSA each business day through Nov. 26 on its YouTube channel and social media platforms. The series will start and end with messages from Chief Judge Wilson, reinforcing his call to action.

New Yorkers aged 18 and over are invited to volunteer for jury service by visiting the court’s official portal, where they can participate in this fundamental civic duty at their own initiative. The PSAs will also play on courthouse monitors, social media, and other channels, ensuring the message reaches residents across the state.