A line of people awaiting their Non-Compliance hearings outside the Kew Gardens Jury Room in response to subpoenas for failing to send in jury duty questionnaires. Failure to attend these Non-Compliance hearings could result in a fine. Photo courtesy of the Queens County Clerk.
While many people tend to throw their jury duty questionnaire into a pile with the rest of the junk mail, Queens County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors, Audrey Pheffer, wants to remind people that answering the questionnaire is an important and necessary first step in the jury selection process.
“Serving jury duty is something everyone must do. Answering the questionnaire is just the first step in obtaining qualified jurors for our jury pool,” Pheffer said.
New York State law requires that the juror questionnaire be completed. If residents of Queens County fail to respond, then they will receive a subpoena to appear in person to give an explanation
“It is our Constitutional right to be tried by a jury of our peers. Without a complete cross section of our community serving, this right is denied,” Pheffer said, who noted that the goal of the questionnaire is to help create a diverse group of jurors.
There are certain exemptions where people can apply for postponement or ask to be excused. For example, if you are not an American citizen or a resident of Queens, you cannot serve on a jury in this County. You also can not have been convicted of a felony. Medical conditions and disabilities are also legitimate reasons not to serve, as is being a caregiver of a child or elderly person.
But regardless, Commissioner Pheffer said that the initial questionnaire must be completed. If it’s not completed, then another questionnaire is sent out. If that one is not completed, you are required to attend a non-compliance hearing where you must present proof as to why you cannot participate on a jury.
“Whether you think you’re qualified or not, don’t ignore your jury questionnaire.” Pheffer said that jury rooms have also been improved in an effort to make jurors more comfortable. There’s air conditioning, computers, WiFi and books for people to use.
“We go out of our way to make sure people have the best experience possible.”
On Friday October 12, Commissioner Pheffer has scheduled Non-Compliance hearings at 9 a.m. in the Kew Gardens Jury Room, 120-55 Queens Boulevard. Prior Non-Compliant hearings resulted in more than 5000 additional names added to the active jury pool, Pheffer said. Any resident who fails to answer the subpoena may be summoned to appear before a Judge, and could possibly be fined.
By Ryan Lavis
