Effective on May 22, 2012, HB 268 will make some changes to jury service provisions of the Ohio Revised Code. The Ohio Judicial Conference has issued a great summary as well as a chart to identfy the changes. The summary lists the following changes:
Permits municipal courts to set their own fees (1901.25)
Establishes that a jury commissioner may be a court employee (2313.01)
Authorizes courts to order the beginning date of the jury year (2313.05)
Authorizes courts to order the number of jurors to be drawn or leave to commissioners discretion, adds that court can order a additional number of jurors at any time (2313.07)
Establishes that questionnaires used for voir dire should have a prominent legend advising the juror of the right to request and have an in-camera interview, clarifies that counsel present at the in-camera hearing is that of the parties, not that a juror has counsel present. (2313.11 and 2313.18)
Requires the court to file an order regarding the retention period for all documents/electronic media filed with commissioners of jurors. (2313.23)
Authorizes courts in civil cases, where the jury is called but the case is settled, to tax incurred civil jury fees. (2335.28)
Authorizes courts in criminal cases to assess jury fees as cost if defendant enters a plea of guilty or no contest less than 24 hours before the scheduled trial. (2947.23)