Lunch & Learn - 1/15/27

Ever wondered what really happens after you get that summons?
Grab lunch, meet local business leaders, and get the inside scoop from the Erie County Commissioner of Jurors and judges.

Attention Employers
Someone on your team will get a summons. Be the employer who's ready. Join us for a free lunch provided by the Chamber and learn practical ways your organization can support jury service and strengthen our community. 






Jury service is one of the most important responsibilities of citizenship and a cornerstone of our justice system.

This presentation will provide business leaders with an overview of the jury process, explain why broad community participation matters, highlight the important role employers play in supporting jury service, and offer practical ways organizations can help strengthen civic engagement in our community. 

Fun facts about jury duty

1. Your verdict is protected thanks to William Penn. In 1670, a London jury refused to convict Penn (later the founder of Pennsylvania). The judge jailed the jurors for it, and the resulting court ruling, Bushel's Case, established that jurors can't be punished for their verdict.
2. "Verdict" literally means "truly said." It comes from the Latin vere dictum.
3. Not every jury has 12 people. In New York, criminal trials use 12 jurors, but civil trials use just 6.
4. No one in New York gets a free pass. The state eliminated occupational exemptions in the 1990s, so doctors, lawyers, judges, and even New York City mayors have been called to serve.
5. Employers are part of the system by law. Employers also can't penalize someone for serving.
6. It's a constitutional right twice over. The 6th Amendment guarantees a jury in criminal cases, and the 7th Amendment covers civil cases. That right only works if people show up.