Hays County Commissioners Court Proclaims Jury Appreciation Week

“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court Tuesday thanked the citizens who give their time to the jury system and proclaimed May 7-11 as Jury Appreciation Week in Hays County.

According to the proclamation, the right to a trial by jury is a core value of American citizenship, and jury service is as fundamental to our democracy as the right to vote.

In the proclamation, Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”

District Clerk Beverly Crumley and County Clerk Liz Q. Gonzales both noted recent large jury pool turnouts for the respective courts their offices serve.

“We appreciate those citizen who choose to come and participate when they get a jury summons,” Crumley said. “It’s very important that they do so.”

Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant noted that when he served on a jury in Hays County, he encountered a well-operated process that promulgates fairness.

The proclamation also states that the Courts are committed to

• Educating the public about jury duty and the importance of jury service
• Applauding the efforts of jurors who fulfill their civic duty
• Supporting employees who are called upon to serve as jurors
• Ensuring that the responsibility of jury service is shared fairly among citizens and that a fair cross-section of the community is called for jury service
• Providing jurors with tools that will assist their decision-making
• Continuing to improve the jury system by encouraging productive dialogue between jurors and court officials

Photo Attached:

Left to right, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, County Clerk Liz Q. Gonzalez; District Clerk Beverley Crumley, Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant thanked citizens who willingly participate in the jury selection process at the May 8 Commissioners Court meeting.