Letters to the Editor | Week of Aug. 26-31, 2024

Jury service is essential

In this election year we’ll hear much about the importance of voting, but there are additional responsibilities that strengthen our democracy and protect our rights as citizens. It’s also critically important to answer the call for jury service.

Every citizen can contribute to fairness and balance in the civil justice system by serving on a jury when called. A robust jury system is essential to protecting our rights as Americans and ensuring all defendants are treated fairly in the courtroom.

Yet, in recent years, many people in Texas and around the country have avoided jury service. National research and previous studies have estimated that fewer than half of those called to serve in some areas of our state and nationally ignore their summons.

Such statistics are abysmal and don’t bode well for our civil or criminal courts. Why aren’t people answering the call?

The Pew Research Center found that only half of those ages 18 to 29 say jury service is part of being a good citizen, compared to 70 percent or higher in older age groups.

It’s difficult for defendants to receive a trial by a jury of their peers when their peers don’t show up. Courts depend upon citizens to serve as jurors, and all citizens should be encouraged to respond when summoned for jury service. ear

We all know time is money.

And over the past decade, more counties have been doing their part to make jury service as painless as possible, offering online scheduling that saves both jurors and courts time and money.

More recently, a new law approaching its one-year anniversary increased juror pay from $6 to $20 for the first day of service and $40 to $58 per day for those impaneled to serve for a trial. Thanks to state lawmakers who passed HB 3474 in the last legislative session, Texas now ranks among the states with the highest pay for jury service.

Serving on a jury is fundamental to our democracy, and jurors who respond when called will receive a pay increase for the first time in nearly 20 years. Texas has removed one more obstacle or excuse not to serve when summoned by increasing juror pay.

The U.S. and Texas constitutions guarantee the right to a trial by jury. A trial by a jury of your peers is a fundamental safeguard of each American’s civil liberties and an important component of civic engagement.

Remember, it’s important not only to vote but also to serve on a jury. When summoned, answer the call.

Mike Hachtman

Chair, Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse

Houston

Offending Republicans

Some Republicans claim Democrats call them Nazis and that offends them. Sometimes people say things that others don’t like. They might be asking for trouble, but in America it’s not against the law — yet. That could possibly change if Donald Trump regains power.

Remember when some prominent Republicans called Trump a moron, an idiot and a narcissistic, pathological liar not fit to be president? They were right, but in the end they cowered, disregarded his demeanor and decided Trump was not so bad after all. And the Democrats, were like, Huh?

J.D. Vance some years ago said Donald Trump was “America’s Hitler.” Trump wasn’t offended. He might have even taken it as a compliment. Why else would he offer Vance the vice presidency? And the MAGA people were like, Hmm, OK — Yay! Yay!

As you can see, Republicans don’t need anyone to smear them. They can pretty much do that themselves.

Being called a Nazi is piddly compared to what the MAGAs have in store for Kamala Harris. Kamala is strong, exceptionally intelligent and brave enough to confront whatever smear bombs are hurled at her. She will swat them off her shoulder like dead flies. And she will be victorious! Mark my words.

Italo J. Zarate

Brownsville

Editor’s note: We welcome your letters and commentary. Submissions must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters of 200 words or fewer will be given preference. Submissions may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters may be mailed to P.O Box 3267, McAllen, Texas 78502-3267, or emailed to letters@myRGV.com.

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