Jury Exit Questionnaires

As noted in the ABA Standards Relating to Juror Use and Management, many courts use exit questionnaires to assess juror satisfaction (1993, p. 113). Such feedback can improve the experience of future jurors and the system as a whole, particularly when solicited effectively and considered carefully. Implementing a system to evaluate and act upon questionnaire data is at least as important as crafting a good questionnaire and means of distribution.

Consider, for instance, that a report assessing the results of five years of jury reforms in New York presents, as one of its ten recommendations for further improving jury service, that courthouse personnel monitor these exit questionnaires for specific complaints. The report notes, “These questionnaires are a wealth of information. They should be analyzed frequently and deeply. . . . As problems are uncovered. . . they should be addressed” (Vitullo-Martin, Maxey, and Cesarini 2000, p. 43).

G. Thomas Munsterman, Paula L. Hannaford, and G. Marc Whitehead recommend

• a representative sample of those summoned, including those not placed on juries, receive exit questionnaires;
• courts administer questionnaires with sufficient frequency to catch times of both high and low jury usage; and
• questionnaires use pre-tested, non-open-ended questions (1997, p. 209).

(See Sources Cited section found below, for full citation information on the above referenced titles.)

The following collection of links presents examples of sample and actual juror exit questionnaires from a variety of courts. Where available, the request to complete the survey is included. A few compilations of data from completed questionnaires are also given to show the kinds of responses some courts have received.

Examples of Exit Questionnaires 

United States District Court - Middle District of Florida:
On its FAQ page, the Court provides this information about the exit questionnaire: “Please take a few moments to complete the Juror Exit Questionnaire given to you by the Jury Staff.  The purpose of the questionnaire is to help us make jury service a more positive experience for those who are summoned for jury service for the United States District Court-Middle District of Florida. After completing the questionnaire, you may leave it with the Jury Staff or mail to the address on the reverse side. The United States District Court-Middle District of Florida also allows jurors to submit Juror Exit Questionnaires electronically.”

United States District Court - Central District of Illinois - Peoria Division:
The exit questionnaire begins with this solicitation:
“Dear Juror:
It would be greatly appreciated if you would take a few minutes to complete the following petit juror exit questionnaire. We believe that input from you by completing the following questions will help us improve jury service for others. Your responses are voluntary and confidential. You do not have to sign your name. If not enough space, please use other side of this form or attach an additional sheet. A self-addressed, postage-paid envelope is provided for your convenience.”

United States District Court - Northern District of Iowa:
Mark W. Bennett, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, gives jurors a post-trial evaluation where they assess their experience, including the judge, the lawyers, and the treatment they received. Early in the trial process, Judge Bennett informs the jurors they will have an opportunity to provide feedback on their experience. After the trial, he personally hands a cover letter and survey to each juror in an addressed, stamped return envelope. The response rate is over 90 percent. Improvements the court has made based on survey responses range from relatively small matters, such as adding a microwave to the jury room, to larger changes, like adjusting the day's schedule to start proceedings earlier and offer two short breaks rather than a long lunch break, enabling jurors to get home before dark.

Superior Court of California, County of Fresno:
On its FAQ page, the Court provides this information about the exit questionnaire “We welcome comments you may have regarding your jury service experience and encourage you to give any suggestions you may have on how we can improve our operations for those who will be serving in the future. After you have completed your jury service, we ask that you complete an Exit Questionnaire that can be accessed by clicking on the Feedback button located on this page.”

Superior Court of California, County of Madera:
The Court’s exit questionnaire begins, “Your answers to the following questions will help improve jury service. All responses are voluntary and confidential.”

Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento:
The Court’s main jury page includes an Exit Questionnaire link with this annotation: “We would like to know how we are doing, and would appreciate your opinions of your jury service experience. Please download the Jury Exit Questionnaire, fill it out, and return it to us at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Your evaluation can only help us in our efforts to enhance both your service, and our administration of justice.”

Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Orange County:
The main juror page asks jurors, “If you have completed service, the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida would greatly appreciate feedback on your experience as a juror.  To complete and submit the survey please click on the icon below.”

Pinellas County (Florida):
The Court offers an online Juror Service Comment Card inviting jurors, “Please take a moment to complete this jury service comment card. Your comments are very important to us.”

St. Lucie County (Florida):
The Court’s exit questionnaire begins, “Please take the time to answer the following questions. By answering the following, we may be able to make changes or improvements in the jury process that will make future jury service easier and a more positive experience.”

Idaho Supreme Court Handbook for Jurors:
See pp. 18-19 for a sample exit questionnaire. The introduction reads,
“The ________ County court system is constantly working to improve the jury system. Please help us in our efforts by completing the questionnaire below. Positive or negative, we value your opinions and welcome suggestions on how we can better serve you, the juror.”

Indiana Judicial Center Jury Committee
The committee offers a sample exit questionnaire
Its introduction reads, “We want to know your thoughts about jury duty so that we can make the experience the most rewarding possible for future jurors. Please take time to answer the following questions and return this form to the court bailiff at the end of your jury service. Your responses are voluntary and will assist us in determining if changes or improvements in the jury process are necessary. Do not provide your name. Thank you for your time. We appreciate your comments and feedback.”

Seventh Judicial District of Kansas, Douglas County
The Court’s juror exit survey begins, “The Douglas County Judicial Center is currently in the process of evaluating and improving our jury system. If you would take the time to fill out this survey, your input would be greatly appreciated. Please return the survey in the enclosed envelope at your earliest convenience.”

The Third Judicial District of New York:
The Court’s juror questionnaire begins, “We would appreciate your completion of the following questionnaire. The purpose is to gain information on your experiences and views as a juror. No personal identification on the questionnaire is included, and all answers are confidential. If you have served on jury duty in the past, please answer the following questions in terms of this present jury service. Please complete this survey near or at the end of your term of service. Do not rate anything you feel does not apply to your experience as a juror in the New York State Courts.”

Mecklenburg County Courts (North Carolina’s 26^th Judicial District):
The Courts offer a two-page survey for jurors. The introduction says, “Your answers to the following questions will help improve Jury Service in Mecklenburg County.  All responses are voluntary and confidential.  Please complete this survey near or at the end of your term of service.”

Rocky River (Ohio) Municipal Court Court Rules
See p. 46 for the jury exit questionnaire, which begins, “Your answer to the following questions will improve jury service. All responses are voluntary and confidential.”

Jury System Management by G. Thomas Munsterman
This publication includes a sample Jury Service Exit Questionnaire with Results (see Figure 12-4 on PDF page 37 of 43) and a sample Exit Questionnaire Tabulation Sheet (see Figure 12-5 on PDF page 38 of 43).

Examples of Compilations of Exit Questionnaire Data

These few examples of compiled results from juror exit questionnaires illustrate the kinds of feedback provided. Jurors voice issues ranging from treatment and comfort matters, such as interactions with court personnel, temperature, beverage selection, and seating, to process-oriented concerns, such as excessive waiting time, jury selection, and juror competence.

Florida Supreme Court’s Jury Innovations Committee
Jury Service Exit Questionnaire results, Part I and Part II.  This report presents the compiled results of over 1,300 jury service exit questionnaires given in the state of Florida in the summer of 2000.

 Waukesha County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court:
These annual jury reports include compiled data from juror exit interviews:
2002 report
2004 report
2006 report

 Sources Cited in the Introduction

 American Bar Association, Judicial Administration Division, Committee on Jury Standards. ABA Standards Relating to Juror Use and Management, Rev. ed. (1993).

 Munsterman, G. Thomas, Paula L. Hannaford, and G. Marc Whitehead, ed. Jury Trial Innovations ([Williamsburg, Va.]: National Center for State Courts, 1997).

 Vitullo-Martin, Julia, Brian Maxey, and Chris Cesarini. Five Years of Jury Reform: What Jurors are Saying ([New York]: Vera Institute of Justice, 2000).