26 The Queens Courier • JUNE 11, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Jury duty dodgers get chance to atone at Jamaica court hearing BY ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected] @robbpoz Throwing out a jury duty summons cost some Queens residents time out of their schedules — and potentially money out of their pockets. Forty individuals appeared at a special court hearing in Jamaica on June 3 to answer to summonses sent by the Queens County Clerk’s office for repeatedly shirking their jury duty responsibilities. Judicial Hearing Officer Sidney Strauss, who previously served 14 years on the bench as a Queens County judge, required each individual to select, and then appear on a Famous Ribs certain date to begin jury duty service, or face a $250 lien. This was the first hearing of its kind in Queens, according to Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer. Summonses were sent to about 100 jury duty scofflaws; those who did not appear at the June 3 hearing will be summonsed again to appear at a future hearing or be hit with an immediate $250 lien. Since becoming county clerk in 2011, Pheffer has traveled across the borough, meeting with civic groups and community organizations in an effort to convince Queens residents to comply with jury duty service. This includes returning completed questionnaires that the clerk’s office mails out in advance of jury duty summonses. With more than 2.3 million residents of an wide array of ethnic backgrounds, Pheffer said, having a large and diverse jury pool is critical to keeping the justice system fair. Judge Strauss reiterated those points in the hearing, she noted. “We have 100,000 people in our pool” every year, Pheffer told The Courier in an exclusive interview. “When we call, most of them come, and they shouldn’t be penalized for their service. We’re hoping that, with the threat of a financial penalty if you don’t show, more people will show.” At the hearing, Pheffer said, many of the respondents appeared frightened, but Strauss indicated the court did not intend to frighten anyone — but, rather, compel each of them to fulfill their civic obligations. A similar hearing will be scheduled later in the summer, Pfeffer added. Each potential juror is asked to Individuals who long avoided responding to jury duty summonses were ordered to appear at a hearing Wednesday at Queens Civil Court in Jamaica. complete and return a questionnaire prior to selection for jury duty. The questionnaire asks if the person is a citizen, over 18 years of age, lives in Queens and if they have ever been convicted of a felony. When called, each juror will receive a summons asking them to serve as a telephone standby juror and, on a specific date, to begin calling the designated phone number to find out if they must report to court. Jurors have Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Youngking11 several weeks to officially request a postponement of service. Once ordered to report to court, a juror will be assigned to report to the central jury rooms at either the Criminal Court in Kew Gardens, the Civil Court in Jamaica or the Long Island City courthouse. Service typically lasts one to two days, depending on the court’s needs; only those selected to participate in trials will be required to extend their service to the court. We have unlimited seating and plenty of room for large parties FREE DELIVERY DINNER DELIVERY Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! FREE Half Onion Loaf With purchase of Entrée One Coupon Per Table or Group (not valid on split checks). Not to be Combined With Other Offers. Must present this Queens Courier Coupon. Expires 7/1/15 FREE Potato Skins With purchase of Entrée One Coupon Per Table or Group (not valid on split checks). Not to be Combined With Other Offers. Must present this Queens Courier Coupon. Expires 7/1/15 FREE Half Onion Loaf With purchase of Entrée One Coupon Per Table or Group (not valid on split checks). Not to be Combined With Other Offers. Must present this Queens Courier Coupon. Expires 7/1/15 FREE Boneless Bites With purchase of $40 Take Out Only One Coupon Per Table or Group (not valid on split checks). Not to be Combined With Other Offers. Must present this Queens Courier Coupon. Expires 7/1/15 FREE Steak Flatbread With purchase of $60 Take Out Only One Coupon Per Table or Group (not valid on split checks). Not to be Combined With Other Offers. Must present this Queens Courier Coupon. Expires 7/1/15 FREE Kicking Shrimp & 2 Liter Soda With purchase of $80 Take Out Only One Coupon Per Table or Group (not valid on split checks). Not to be Combined With Other Offers. Must present this Queens Courier Coupon. Expires 7/1/15 Open 7 Days Mon-Thurs 11:00am - 11:00pm Fri 11:00am - 12:00am Sat 11:00am - 12:00am & Sun 11:00am - 10:00pm Roma’s® STEAKS York 718) 224-TONY (8669)
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