Only 60 people attended jury selection proceedings among the 143 people called, Superior Court Judge Larry Weeks said, noting that Juneau has one of the worst show-up rates for jury calls in the state.
"I don't think it's fair to persons who serve to have all those other folks out there skipping," he said.
He signed orders Thursday for 83 people to show cause why they shouldn't be held in contempt of court. Somedidn't return questionnaires after their jury service summons was delivered in the mail. Others on current service simply didn't come when their numbers came up.
Contempt of court can be punished by a fine of up to $300 and imprisonment for up to six months.
In the past, such orders to show cause have been mailed out, losing their impact, Weeks said. But these will be served by state troopers. If the recipients do not appear in court when required, Weeks will order arrest warrants, he added.
"I don't like that," he said. "Many of these people are of good will and just forget. We have to do something to make them remember, and this is it."
"Good for him," said Steven Rappe, who served as a juror in an assault trial in Juneau this summer.
Most potential jurors who were called for the trial he attended weren't chosen. Some were excused for personal hardships or because they knew people involved with the case.
There also were quite a few potential jurors who didn't show up, he added.
"I'd have no problem if they flat fined them," Rappe said.
The no-show problem didn't begin last week. Area Court Administrator Neil Nesheim said 40 percent of those called to Juneau juries since the 1988-89 fiscal year have not showed up.
That isn't the worst rate in the state. Barrow has been running a no-show rate of about 60 percent. But Nesheim said it is the worst rate in Southeast Alaska.
In Nome, 90 percent of prospective jurors have been showing up when called.
Weeks recalled holding a trial in Yakutat in which 125 people were called to seat a jury. He said 123 showed up.
"I didn't think it was optional," said John Morrell, who was selected for a jury in Juneau this summer.
Weeks said jury service is the only act the Legislature requires of Alaskans who receive a permanent fund dividend.
Considered as a payment for jury duty, Rappe said, "Anybody getting their PFD is getting paid pretty doggone good."
This year's dividend should be around $900, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. said.
Juneau Empire
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