Deputy Executive Director Robert Sherman said the cost of the Business Center was “under $8,000 for the package,” including help from major corporate sponsors. Jurors also can help out by donating their per diem travel costs to keep the one-way fax machine - senders only at this point - online.Presiding Judge Bruce A. Clark said he finds the concept of a business center “Exciting. . .any time you can make less burdensome, more productive and more rewarding,” is a big plus, especially since the county last year imposed stricter rules on getting out of jury service.Judge Clark noted his concern that as the new Business Center gains popularity, “We may have to impose a time limit,” on cubicle use.An expansion of the area is already being weighed, said Gonzalez, and adding information about Business Center availability on the jury duty summons is planned. “It feels good when something positive is going on, and this is very positive, so we want to spread the word,” especially as the center is among the first in the nation.Judge Clark also thinks the Business Center will encourage businesses to pay employees who are called to jury duty: “They can remain productive; one said he was able to get paid that day,” by being able to get work done while waiting to be called.“I think it’s a great idea for those who are self-employed or work for a business they have to remain in contact with,” said Jerry Olivas of Santa Paula, chatting with other prospective jurors in the main waiting room. “The county keeps trying to improve,” contact with prospective jurors, he noted.One man, a Ventura resident who asked not to be identified, said the Business Center is a good idea but he would not be using the service: “I’ve had a house full of my wife’s relatives for almost a week and they’re staying for another month. . .all I want to do is sit here very quietly and pray I get on a jury.”
Business Center allows potential jurors to stay on the job
February 02, 2001
Santa Paula News
The motto of the Superior Court of the County of Ventura is “Dignity, Respect, Excellence, Communication, Pride in all we do.”
The emphasis was on communication, high-tech communication, when a new service fo
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe motto of the Superior Court of the County of Ventura is “Dignity, Respect, Excellence, Communication, Pride in all we do.”The emphasis was on communication, high-tech communication, when a new service for prospective jurors was unveiled at the courthouse jury room on Jan. 25.Twiddling thumbs, reading, dozing off and staring blankly into space can now be joined by those prospective jurors who can use the waiting down time to surf the Net, hookup to their offices, check their e-mail and get some work done while they are out of the office: welcome to the Business Center, which the county hopes will make things easier for those waiting to be called to jury duty.Once a waiting room for children interacting with the court system, the space just off the jury waiting room was recreated when the waiting room was moved upstairs closer to the courtrooms.Now, there are eight cubicles, each with a surge protector for plugging in and five containing pay phones with computer ready data ports, a copier, fax machine and electric pencil sharpener. Costs associated with doing Internet business are borne by the user.“I think this is so important; when people are called to serve they don’t have to see it as a wasted day,” said Superior Court Executive Sheila Gonzalez as about 225 sat outside the Business Center waiting to be called.Business was brisk inside the center, with all the cubicles filled with those prospective jurors making the most of the wait.