History of Ohio's Family Friendly Jury Duty Initiative

History of Ohio's Family Friendly Jury Duty initiative:
Representative Collier was first made aware of this issue by Mrs. Stephanie Weaver, who told of her horrific jury duty experience with the Morrow County Municipal Court.
Read about Stephanie Weaver’s story here.
Soon after, Mrs. Terri Weeks also contacted Rep. Collier, telling him of her own and others’ “family unfriendly” jury duty encounters with Ohio’s courts.

On June 2, 2005, HB 256 was presented before the Ohio House Judiciary Committee with Mrs. Stephanie Weaver and Mrs. Terri Weeks testifying. In addition, several people and organizations submitted written testimony in support of this initiative, including:

Although the House Judiciary Committee seemed sympathetic to the situation faced by mothers of young children and family caregivers who are called for jury duty, some committee members were worried that it would reduce the number of people in the jury pool with a traditional point of view. However, this concern is unfounded since this bill would not remove anyone from the jury pool permanently. Most people in the above situations would happily serve as good citizens when their children are older or their care giving responsibilities have ceased. In fact, a mother with older children may very well bring more life experience and wisdom to the court than her younger counterpart. And any person who is able to find satisfactory substitute care arrangements for their loved ones can still serve.

By the conclusion of the meeting, the committee recognized that abuses like that of Stephanie Weaver are not OK and something needed to change. However, no action was taken at that time.

Unfortunately, HB 256 died at the end of the 2006 session. Rep. Thom Collier has agreed to sponsor another bill for the current session. We haven't given up and are still working on this.

How can you help:
If you would like to help enact this worthwhile, compassionate legislation, please contact:
Terri Weeks at 513-722-9887 or terri@weekshome.com. Anyone who has any stories they would like to submit as testimony for the bill should contact Terri Weeks.

It would be helpful to also send a letter to your Ohio representative to ask for his/her support of this legislation that will be introduced in the upcoming session.
Click here to view a sample letter to your Ohio representative.

Last updated Wednesday March 21, 2007