Beginning next month, prospective jurors in Atchison County can choose to communicate with the court by text or e-mail, as the Atchison County Circuit Court implements the new Show-Me Jury system.

The Atchison County Circuit Court will mail new Show-Me Jury questionnaires starting January 22, 2020, for jury service beginning February 1, 2020.

“A big benefit to the public will be the ease of contacting and communicating with the courts, and in particular, the jury supervisor’s office,” said Lorie K. (Meier) Hall, Circuit Clerk. “Although Show-Me Jury is not completely paperless, it allows our potential jurors to do more online and choose how they want the court to let them know if they have been excused or disqualified for serving or if their service has been postponed or canceled.”

Here is how Missouri’s new Show-Me Jury system works:

• The Circuit Court will send a letter or postcard through the postal mail to the juror notifying them of their service.

• When potential jurors receive the letter or postcard, they will be directed to go online at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror to complete their juror qualification forms. This online questionnaire lets them choose their preferred method of communication with the court – whether by postal service, e-mail or even text message. For prospective jurors who remain in the pool of qualified jurors after completing their questionnaires, this means the local court could send the summons for jury duty electronically.

• Potential jurors who believe they are not qualified for jury service under state law can follow the online instructions to submit their necessary documentation electronically.

• For potential jurors who provide the appropriate contact information, the local Circuit Clerk’s office can notify them by text message or e-mail before they report for service if their service no longer is needed.

Potential jurors who do not have access to a computer or who prefer not to communicate information electronically may call the local Circuit Clerk’s office to request paper copies of questionnaires. They also still can call the court’s automated telephone messaging system/check the court’s website for information.

Missouri courts do not require anyone to provide confidential information over the telephone or by e-mail. The Show-Me Jury system is designed to give citizens a choice how they want to communicate with their local courts about potential jury service. Any telephone call or e-mail threatening the recipient with fines or jail time for failure to comply are fraudulent, are in no way connected with Missouri courts and should be reported to local law enforcement officials.

“Juries are a hallmark of the American justice system, and we truly appreciate the willingness of our citizens to serve as jurors,” Hall said. “Through the Show-Me Jury system, we hope to make that service much easier and more convenient.”

The new Show-Me Jury system was piloted in the St. Louis City Circuit Court beginning in February 2017. The Atchison County Circuit Court is the 41st court to implement the Show-Me Jury system.