2009 Senate Joint Resolution 46
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming Juror Appreciation Month.
Whereas, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has declared the month of September 2009 to be “Juror Appreciation Month" to celebrate the service of jurors in the state and draw attention to the critical need of jurors for the administration of justice; and
Whereas, the foundations for our justice system call for a “jury of one's peers" to determine guilt or innocence, negligence, or loss of rights; from the Magna Carta of 1215, article 39 reads, “No freeman shall be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way harmed — nor will we go upon or send upon him — save by lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land"; and
Whereas, jurors of all ages, races, orientations, and occupations have contributed to the establishment and service of justice by their participation in juries as called by the courts of this state; and
Whereas, in the past year in Wisconsin, an estimated 44,394 people reported to a Wisconsin courthouse for jury duty, and more than 22,623 of them served as jurors in one of more than 2,401 trials; and
Whereas, without jurors the justice system could not uphold the law, provide judgment, require restitution, nor provide for restoration; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature of the state of Wisconsin joins with the members of the judicial branch to commend the citizenship and duty of jurors — past, present, and future — that serve their fellow citizens in this state's justice system; and
Be it further resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall transmit a copy of this joint resolution to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the possible distribution and posting to jurors as recognition of their service.
