BILL NUMBER: AB 127	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER   509
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 29, 1997
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 28, 1997
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 12, 1997
	PASSED THE SENATE   SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
	AMENDED IN SENATE   SEPTEMBER 5, 1997
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JULY 9, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 3, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 22, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 7, 1997

INTRODUCED BY  Assembly Member Morrow
   (Coauthor:  Assembly Member Escutia)

                        JANUARY 15, 1997

   An act to add and repeal Section 239 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, relating to juries.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 127, Morrow.  Jury selection.
   Existing law provides for the selection of trial jurors, as
specified.
   This bill would require the Judicial Council to conduct a jury
selection pilot project in 3 counties, with specified goals and
rules, and to report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2001.
  The bill would require the pilot project to include the development
of processes for improving selection of jurors, as specified, and to
test the routine use of questionnaires to screen prospective jurors
and reduce the number of people called into the courtroom for
face-to-face interviews.  The bill would also require the Judicial
Council to collect and analyze data regarding juror utilization and
service, evaluate changes resulting from the project, and assess the
potential use of such a system on a statewide basis.
   The provisions added by the bill would be repealed on July 1,
2001, unless that date is extended or deleted by later legislation.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 239 is added to the Code of Civil Procedure, to
read:
   239.  (a) The Judicial Council shall conduct a jury selection
pilot project in three counties, to be designated by the Judicial
Council subject to the approval of the affected courts and the
affected county board of supervisors.  The goals of this jury
selection pilot project are to do both of the following:
   (1) Improve juror utilization and the management of jurors' time
by encouraging courts and counsel to use a variety of methods for
screening jurors prior to their arrival in the courtroom for oral
voir dire.
   (2) Determine whether procedures can be developed which protect
the rights of the parties while enabling most jurors who travel to
the courthouse to actually serve on a jury.
   (b) The project shall include the development of processes for
improved selection of jurors utilizing the experience and advice of
judges, jury commissioners, and trial lawyers from the civil and
criminal bars in many jurisdictions, and shall test the routine use
of questionnaires to screen prospective jurors to reduce the number
of people called into the courtroom for face-to-face interviews.  In
developing the project design, the Judicial Council shall consult
with the judges, court administrators, and lawyers in the counties to
be affected.
   (c) The Judicial Council shall collect baseline data concerning
juror utilization and service in each project county, evaluate the
changes resulting from adoption of the new procedures in each county,
and describe the advantages, disadvantages, and acceptability of
such a system for use on a statewide basis.  The project shall be
deemed to have met its objectives if (1) there is at least a 20
percent reduction in the total time spent at the courthouse by all
jurors either prior to being impaneled or, if never impaneled, prior
to being released from service; and (2) there is a one-third
reduction of prospective jurors in the pilot project counties who
travel to the courthouse and do not serve on a jury.  The Judicial
Council shall report its findings and recommendations to the
Legislature on or before January 1, 2001.
  (d) This section shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2001,
and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
is enacted before July 1, 2001, deletes or extends that date.