JEREMY S. TAYLOR

Circuit Judge

Fort Payne: 256.845.8544

300 Grand Ave SW, Suite 403 Fort Payne, Al 35967

Centre: 256.927.0500 

100 Main Street, Room 205 Centre, Al 35960

STATE OF ALABAMA 

Ninth Judicial Circuit

Cherokee and DeKalb Counties

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution sets out that in federal criminal cases, "the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury..." In Alabama, people accused of a crime have that same right. In the Ninth Judicial Circuit, the citizens are willing to do their part to ensure that our justice system works by showing up for jury service. 

On Monday, September 13, a week of criminal jury trials began in Centre. The jurors arrived beginning at 8:00 a.m. Throughout the course of the week, three separate jury trials were held for defendants charged with sexual abuse, sodomy, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and criminal mischief. Several of those jurors were present every day of the week. Some served on more than one jury during the week. 

The trials ended about 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 17. That date is the 232nd anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. 

Other than military, police, or emergency service, the highest duty a citizen can perform for their community is jury service. It is a stressful and largely thankless task; one that many try hard to avoid. Our justice system, the system that exists for our community to peacefully resolve disputes, could not operate without citizens being willing to serve. 

So, from me and my office, I want to say "thank you" to each of you who has responded to a jury summons. Thank you to our community for being willing to participate in the greatest system of justice the world has ever known. I am grateful to live in our corner of the State and I am honored to serve as a judge along with such an honorable citizenry. 

Sincerely, 

JEREMY S. TAYLOR