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Council reviews plain‑language jury instructions, implicit‑bias guidance and juror compensation pilot
Summary
Presenters reviewed the Judicial Council’s plain‑language jury‑instruction program, new implicit‑bias instructions developed with social‑science input, jury orientation videos, and AB 1981 per‑diem pilot to test whether higher juror compensation increases diversity and participation.
The Judicial Council received an update on work to make jury service and jury instructions more accessible, including plain‑language instructions, an implicit‑bias juror instruction reviewed by social scientists, jury orientation videos, and a juror compensation pilot study.
Justice Adrienne Grover and Judge Jeffrey Ross described the history and goals of the plain‑language effort (CACI/CALCRIM) and emphasized that accuracy and understandability guide revisions. Ross explained that the implicit‑bias instruction was reviewed by a social scientist (Stanford’s SPARK2) to ensure the material would educate jurors without provoking defensive reactions. "Implicit or unconscious biases can affect how we perceive others and how we make decisions without our being aware of their effect," Ross said when reading the new instruction.
Daryl Parker summarized operational steps to improve juror experience: redesigned jury summons postcards with QR codes, expanded jury orientation videos, pilot projects for staggered reporting times, online juror portals, and a new electronic per‑diem payment pilot using Zelle. The AB 1981 juror pilot—started in January 2023—permanently increased juror mileage reimbursements and added a public-transit reimbursement; the branch will submit findings to the Legislature no later than September 2026.
Council members praised the work and emphasized the importance of user‑friendly materials and in‑person outreach to jurors. No formal vote was required for this informational item.
