— VIDEO FOCUSES ON THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF JURORS IN COURT PROCESS — 
 
WASHINGTON, DC - DC Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield today announced that the Court has released a new juror orientation video, narrated by University of District of Columbia law professor and local author, Andrew Ferguson which focuses on the pivotal role of the juror in upholding our democratic values in the court system.  The video is entitled “We the People: A Call to Duty.” 
 
Chief Judge Satterfield, who provides the introduction to the video, mentions having both adjudicated cases at DC Superior Court and – prior to serving on the bench – prosecuted cases in DC as an Assistant US Attorney.  He says that, as a life-long DC resident, he has been impressed with how a group of people from across the city who have just met can come together and forge a just verdict.    
 
“I am pleased that we have this new video which illustrates just how vital the role of jurors is in the American judicial system,” said Chief Judge Lee Satterfield.  “The video is a mini-documentary about the jury process.  It includes clips from classic American movies – some humorous but most serious – in order to demonstrate what jury duty is all about.  It’s an honest assessment of what the process is like, designed to explain to those reporting to jury duty what their day, or days, will involve.  Hopefully those who watch the video come to understand just how important a role that jurors play in ensuring that our constitutional rights are upheld.” 
 
DC Superior Court operates on a ‘one day or one trial’ system, in which DC residents are summoned for one day every two years.  If the resident who is summoned is not put on a jury at the end of his or her one day of service, they need not serve again for two years.  If they are put on a trial, they must serve on that trial until it concludes.  DC Superior Court gets names from the DC Departments of Motor Vehicles, Tax and Revenue, Human Services, and Employment Services as well as the DC Housing Authority and Board of Elections.  The DC Superior Court has a child care center for children age 2 and older who are toilet-trained.  The Court has a large jurors lounge, as well as a business center with fax and modem capabilities.  WiFi is available throughout the courthouse for those with laptops and other electronic devices who want internet access.  

The new juror orientation video can be found at www.dccourts.gov/juryvideo.