The Supreme Court of South Carolina

DONALD W. BEATTY
CHIEF JUSTICE

 

 

POST OFFICE BOX 3543
SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA  29304-3543

MEMORANDUM

TO:

Magistrate and Municipal Courts


FROM:

Chief Justice Beatty


RE:

“Answering the Call for Jury Service” Video


DATE:

February 13, 2020

As you know, the role of a juror is fundamental to our system of justice. Jurors must decide important cases involving a person's liberty or property. However, many South Carolina citizens who are called for jury duty do not know what to expect. To ensure that justice is served, jurors must have an understanding of their role in the trial process.

The National Center for State Courts has prepared a three-minute educational video titled “Answering the Call for Jury Service.” The video explains in plain language such things as the importance of this civic duty, the jury selection process, and the difference between a criminal and civil trial.

Going forward, I would like for the magistrate and municipal courts to show this video to all juror pools. This should be done on the first day of the week that jurors are called to report, or on the day of court for individual trials.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Court Administration.

I would like to thank you in advance for helping institute this new procedure. I appreciate your hard work and all that you do for our court systems.