" Jury duty may become a cross that the Amish won't have to bear. The governor's office is reviewing a bill that would excuse members of Amish sects from serving on juries, given their religious belief against passing judgment on others. The review could take several weeks.
The intent of the exemption is to encourage more Amish to sign up to vote, said State Rep. Tim Grendell, a Geauga County Republican who introduced the provision.
In Ohio, the courts pluck jurors from rosters of registered voters and licensed drivers. Because of that, some Amish forgo voting to avoid being called for jury duty. ( Because the Amish don't drive, they are not in danger of being pulled from the driver's license rolls. )
Studies put Amish voter participation at less than 10 percent.
" The problem is they're being disenfranchised from their voting rights because of concerns about jury duty ", said Grendell, whose district includes a sizable Amish settlement around Middlefield.
In current practice however the Amish don't get selected as jurors said Forrest Burt, a Geauga County Common Pleas judge. Amish who are called to serve on juries are released from duty when they cite religious principles, Burt said.
In Geauga, a new pool of potential jurors assembles every four months. Burt estimated that 10 Amish are excused each time, most often after quoting Matthew 7:1, a berse from the Bible: " Judge not, that ye be not judge ".
Donna Childers, legislative activities coordinator for the Ohio Judicial Conference, said legalizing an exception from jury duty and taking the decision out of a judge's hands - raises concerns. She questioned whether other groups would ask for exemption too.
Grendell attached his prosal to an existing bill only a few weeks ago. The judicial conference did not get a chance to poll judges on the matter, Childer said.
An estimated 40,000 Amish live in Ohio, the most of any state, Second is Pennsylvania with about 34,000. Pennsylvania law does not grant an automatic exclusion to potential Amish jurors though there is mechanism for them to voice opposition to serving, said Art Heinz, a state court system spokesman.
If the bill approved by state lawmakers last week becomes law, it may encourage more Amish to take part in elections, said Paul Miller, executive director of Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Holmes County. However, he said many may still be reluctant to become involved with political matters. But Levi Miller, an Amish farmer and blacksmith from Middlefield Township, applauded Grendell's effort.
" I don't know how much it will change things " Miller said " But it can't hurt. " "
Source: The Plain Dealer 12/18/04 issue
I personally don't think it would hurt to try by passing this bill for the Amish people that way some may registered to vote in Ohio....I think it's a great idea....
The intent of the exemption is to encourage more Amish to sign up to vote, said State Rep. Tim Grendell, a Geauga County Republican who introduced the provision.
In Ohio, the courts pluck jurors from rosters of registered voters and licensed drivers. Because of that, some Amish forgo voting to avoid being called for jury duty. ( Because the Amish don't drive, they are not in danger of being pulled from the driver's license rolls. )
Studies put Amish voter participation at less than 10 percent.
" The problem is they're being disenfranchised from their voting rights because of concerns about jury duty ", said Grendell, whose district includes a sizable Amish settlement around Middlefield.
In current practice however the Amish don't get selected as jurors said Forrest Burt, a Geauga County Common Pleas judge. Amish who are called to serve on juries are released from duty when they cite religious principles, Burt said.
In Geauga, a new pool of potential jurors assembles every four months. Burt estimated that 10 Amish are excused each time, most often after quoting Matthew 7:1, a berse from the Bible: " Judge not, that ye be not judge ".
Donna Childers, legislative activities coordinator for the Ohio Judicial Conference, said legalizing an exception from jury duty and taking the decision out of a judge's hands - raises concerns. She questioned whether other groups would ask for exemption too.
Grendell attached his prosal to an existing bill only a few weeks ago. The judicial conference did not get a chance to poll judges on the matter, Childer said.
An estimated 40,000 Amish live in Ohio, the most of any state, Second is Pennsylvania with about 34,000. Pennsylvania law does not grant an automatic exclusion to potential Amish jurors though there is mechanism for them to voice opposition to serving, said Art Heinz, a state court system spokesman.
If the bill approved by state lawmakers last week becomes law, it may encourage more Amish to take part in elections, said Paul Miller, executive director of Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Holmes County. However, he said many may still be reluctant to become involved with political matters. But Levi Miller, an Amish farmer and blacksmith from Middlefield Township, applauded Grendell's effort.
" I don't know how much it will change things " Miller said " But it can't hurt. " "
Source: The Plain Dealer 12/18/04 issue
I personally don't think it would hurt to try by passing this bill for the Amish people that way some may registered to vote in Ohio....I think it's a great idea....
