WELCOME TO THE JEM WEBSITE

Our organization started in the early 80’s as an informal gathering of jury managers to discuss issues encountered while performing their daily duties and to share information helpful to the development of a more effective jury program.

Over the years, our group has evolved to become a formal organization with our first conference in 1989. The purpose of the organization is to improve jury operations through the exchange of ideas and information, and by promoting, enhancing, educating and providing technical assistance to jury service personnel.

Today our organization is made up of Jury Commissioners, Administrators, Managers, Clerks and other court personnel that are involved in jury management.

JEM sponsors conferences in California during the year, which includes a site visit at one of the local courthouses. During these conferences relevant topics are discussed including jury management procedures; jury challenges; jury improvement; how to handle jury problems; customer service; jury privacy; and various hot topics pertaining to jury and jury legislation. These conferences also include various vendors relevant to jury services, such as video and information technology; image and recording solutions; jury management systems; jury phone systems; network communication; and specialist in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) just to name a few.

The spark that started the beginnings of Jury Education and Management (JEM) began in San Diego County. In May of 1982 the Northern California District Court of Appeals decision in “People v Buford” challenged the demographic composition of jury venires. The San Diego Jury department was informed that local criminal defense attorneys might use the strategy employed in People v Buford to challenge San Diego’s jury selection procedures. San Diego contacted Orange County Superior Court, who suggested they contact Los Angeles County who had frequently been challenged, and who may have a better source of information.