WELCOME TO THE JEM WEBSITE

Our Beginning

JEM was born out of collaboration.  In the early 1980s, jury managers across California began informally gathering to share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange solutions that improved jury service for both the courts and the public.

The spark that ignited what is now JEM began in San Diego County.  In May 1982, the Northern California District Court of Appeals decision in People v. Buford challenged the demographic composition of jury venires.  Concerned that San Diego might face similar challenges, the Jury Department sought guidance from Orange County Superior Court, which referred them to Los Angeles County—an office with extensive experience in this area.  That collaboration planted the seeds for what would grow into a statewide network of jury service professionals.  Today, JEM is a 501(c)(7) Mutual Benefit Nonprofit Corporation, recognized by both the State of California and the IRS.

From Informal Network to Formal Organization

In 1989, JEM hosted its first official conference, marking its transformation from an informal gathering into a formal organization.  Since then, JEM has remained committed to its mission:

• Improving jury operations
• Fostering collaboration
• Promoting innovation
• Providing education and technical assistance

We continue to uphold these guiding principles as the foundation of our work today.

Our Conferences

JEM proudly sponsors conferences throughout California each year.  These events feature:

• Courthouse Site Visits – Hands-on opportunities to see jury management practices in action.
• Expert-Led Sessions – Prominent, cutting-edge leaders in the field of jury management teach and train participants in best practices for jury operations.
• Relevant Topics – Sessions address jury management procedures, jury challenges, customer service, privacy, improvement strategies, legislation, and other emerging issues.
• Vendor Partnerships – Conferences connect participants with leading providers of video and IT solutions, imaging and recording technologies, jury management systems, phone and network communication systems, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) tools.

Today, our conferences attract participants from across the United States and Canada, making JEM a hub for learning, innovation, and professional growth.