Prospective jurors in Massachusetts are now the first in the country to have an online option to respond to all aspects of their jury duty summons. Today, the Office of Jury Commissioner announced the launch of its new interactive Juror Service Website. In addition to the convenience and efficiency of responding electronically, the Office of Jury Commissioner anticipates significant savings on return postage and printing costs.

         The interactive functionality of the Massachusetts Juror Service Website is the most comprehensive in the country, according to Paula Hannaford-Agor, Director of the Center for Jury Studies of the National Center for State Courts. Those who receive a summons in the mail can use a unique code to access the website and confirm or postpone their service, request a hardship transfer, or seek to be disqualified. They can also get courthouse information (including directions from their own home to the courthouse), and complete documents such as the mandatory demographic survey and confidential juror questionnaire.

          “Anything the jurors previously did by mail, or by calling our juror helpline at 1-800-THE-JURY, they can now do online,” said Jury Commissioner Pamela J. Wood.

          “This website allows the courts to increase efficiency and accessibility,” said Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan. “We want to enhance the ability of citizens to participate in the justice system and ensure diversity in jury pools.”

         Thousands of state residents have already evaluated a test version of the website, and the response has been extremely positive, according to Commissioner Wood. “My favorite was the juror who said this was ‘without question the best Massachusetts state website’ she had used,” she said. Others called the website “fantastic,” “quick and easy,” “excellent,” and “very user-friendly.” Several users identified it as “one of the better websites.”

          The website is the latest addition to a total upgrade of technologies used in jury management in Massachusetts. In 2005, the courts started using bar code scanners in the jury pools, cutting check-in times at some of the busier courthouses by as much as an hour. Since that time, the Office of Jury Commissioner has introduced many additional technological innovations, leading up to the introduction of the Juror Service Website.          

          “The website will not only cut costs but will also lead to quicker, more direct services for the juror, such as e-mail reminders and electronic updates on their status,” said Commissioner Wood. “We hope that in time, the majority of jurors will choose to respond to their summonses online.”

          Because the website contains personal information about jurors, only those people who have received summonses can access the actual website. A PowerPoint presentation of the interactive Juror Service Website in action can be viewed at the Office of Jury Commissioner’s informational website at www.MassJury.com, by clicking on the “Juror Service Website Demonstration” link at the bottom of the home page.

          There are 66 courts in Massachusetts that use jurors. Approximately 7,000 citizens report for jury service every week in the Commonwealth.