With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Oops! Courthouse Accidentally Called Way Too Many Jurors Today
This morning the Stanley Mosk Courthouse accidentally called in too many people to report to jury service.
A tipster who was called in to jury service sent us the photo above that shows the extra-long lines snaking down Hill Street early this morning. He says the jury room was full, and there was a "crush of people" in the hallways. A court employee told the crowds that because of a computer glitch, the entire jury pool for the rest of the week was called in, instead of just the pool that was supposed to show up today.
He writes:
A little after 8:00, a court employee informed us of the computer error and read the numbers of the six or so groups that were actually called for Tuesday. The rest of us were allowed to leave but informed we couldn't be dismissed from service (since there were be no jurors available for the trials set for the rest of the week) and we'd have to start checking in again this evening. When I left the courthouse around 8:20, there was still a line of jurors wrapped around the block waiting to get in.
Sponsored message
We checked in with Patricia Kelly, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles Angeles Superior Court, who confirmed that too many people were called in to jury service today and that some of the people excused this morning were told to call in again after 5 p.m. today. Kelly said the court wasn't sure if a computer glitch was responsible for the problem, and she wasn't sure just how many extra jurors were called. She told LAist this afternoon, "They're researching what happened."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
