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The Crime Report
July 2, 2021
Cities weigh paying low-income jurors more to increase diversity
In Harris County, TX., Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess is working to improve appearance rates and diversity of those who show up through a submitted proposal that will increase juror perks concerning free parking and lunch, says the Houston Press.
Houston Cronicle
June 14, 2021
Harris County hopes to lure jurors with free parking, food and coffee
Burgess spoke about juror initiative, which was approved last week by Harris County Commissioners Court, in a press conference Monday morning at NRG Arena. Jury assembly has been taking place there during the COVID-19 pandemic to permit social distancing.
HoustonPress
June 11, 2021
Harris County Approves Free Parking, Coffee and Lunch for Jurors as Planning for Pay Raise Continues
Folks who get called up for jury duty in Harris County can expect a few extra perks coming their way in the weeks ahead, as the county Commissioners Court recently approved a new proposal giving free parking, coffee and lunch to prospective jurors.
Houston Cronicle
April 02, 2021
Opinion: Renaming Woodrow Wilson Montessori School forgets our past
Don’t forget the past
Regarding “HISD to consider renaming Wilson school.” (A3, march 31): Houston ISD trustees and others who accept the task of renaming institutions and and other prominent historical features would be best served by remembering Winston Churchill’s famous quotation, “A nation that forgets its past has no future.”
HoustonPress
March 31, 2021
Commissioners Court Nixes Juror Pay Bump In Harris County, Asking For More Research
Harris County Commissioners Court decided not to vote on a proposed pay increase for county jurors during the court’s Tuesday meeting, and asked County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess’ team to come up with a new proposal . . .
HoustonPress
March 29, 2021
Harris County District Clerk Burgess Argues Juror Pay Bump Would Bring Fairer, More Diverse Juries.
Although the U.S. criminal justice system is supposed to give those accused of committing crimes a fair shake and the opportunity to have their fates decided by impartial juries of their peers, those juries all too often don’t reflect the diversity of their communities at large.
Houston Chronicle
February 09, 2021
District clerk launches jury participation campaign
The Harris County District Clerk's Office on Monday unveiled a campaign to increase jury participation, especially among African-American and Hispanic communities that are typically underrepresented in jury pools.