CALA: Cruz response to jury duty should be applauded

Editor's note: Sen. Ted Cruz returned to Harris County on Jan. 9 to respond to a jury summons. As a member of the Senate, Cruz could have gotten an exemption from service.

Dear editor:

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) applauds Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for answering the call for jury service. Despite being federally exempt from jury duty, Cruz took the time to show up and stress the importance of this bedrock civic duty.

Unfortunately, not every citizen places such value on this civic duty. While nearly 90 percent of Texans believe serving on a jury is important, in some counties, a recent CALA study found that an astounding 85 percent of those summoned do not report.

Obviously we’re talking the talk but not walking the walk when it actually comes to showing up to serve.

Jury no-shows jeopardize justice. Every citizen should do his or her part to bring fairness and balance to the civil justice system by serving on a jury when called.

Sincerely,

Hazel Meaux, Board member, Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse, Austin