Polk Leaders Show Appreciation for Jurors
Bartow, Fla. (April 20, 2021) – Appreciation is the theme next week at the Polk County Courthouse, with great emphasis placed on upholding our justice system as Polk County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller Stacy M. Butterfield and her staff celebrate Juror Appreciation Week from April 26 to 30. Joining in the celebration, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed next week Juror Appreciation Week at their board meeting today.
“There are usually mixed emotions when a person receives a jury summons – some people get excited, while some are not so thrilled,” Clerk Butterfield said. “We have a backlog of cases as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are working hard to resume full operations to ensure access to justice. Our courts depend upon citizens to serve as jurors, and this service is indispensable to the judicial system. Juror Appreciation Week is a way for my office to thank past, present, and future jurors for answering the call to serve.”
Appreciation for jurors by the courts and the Clerk’s office doesn’t start or end during Juror Appreciation Week. Since trials were halted last year, Clerk Butterfield and her staff have been working with the 10th Judicial Circuit Court, State Attorney, and Public Defender’s offices around the clock to ensure a safe resumption of jury trials in the fall of 2020 and continued safety for jurors that arrive each week.
Jurors that report for jury service next week will be given small tokens of appreciation for their service.
“Jury service is a vital aspect of our freedom. I thank all jurors for helping preserve our justice system and uphold our democracy by reporting for jury service,” Clerk Butterfield said. “I am also grateful for the continued collaborative efforts of Chief Judge Masters, State Attorney Brian Haas, and Public Defender Rex Dimmig and their respective staff in working so hard to keep jurors safe and the wheels of justice turning.”
Jurors can check their status, request excusals and postponements, and fill out the juror questionnaire online prior to reporting by visiting the Jury Duty page of the Clerk’s website. Visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/a89bd685/PybpVGF12UOuyij8KtEwvQ?u=http://www.polkcountyclerk.net/ or contact 863-534-4000 for more information.
