Angeles attorney case: Jackson trial’s jury poses problem [California]
http://angeles-defense-attorney.blogspot.com/2009/04/angeles-attorney-case-jackson-trials.html
One such case is pending before an appellate court. A judge found that Hispanics were excluded because of the juries of how jurors are summoned for service.
For Jackson, the problem is compounded by the absence of blacks in Santa Maria, where his case will be judged. Census figures show blacks represent only 2.3 percent of the County of Santa Barbara population.
The question under consideration by the appellate court is a lack of monitoring by the jury summons from the Office of Jury Commissioner. The Commissioner sent questionnaires to potential panelists, but does not track if they are not returned, the attorney of Santa Barbara said James Herman, former president of the status bar.
“You end up with a self-selection of jurors,” he said.
