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Chicago-Cook County Jury Duty – Democracy in Action in the Civil Justice System

Recently my wife was called to serve as a juror in a Chicago-Cook County jury case. Although she was ultimately not called, it reminded me that we must never take this process for granted.

The 7th amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives the right of trial by jury that no other country guarantees.

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Our civil justice system is derived from the English Magna Carter. Our Constitution is designed so that each case is tried by a group of one’s peers, in this case a representation of our Cook County community, that is responsible for judging what is right or wrong in each case.

As a civil justice attorney I am aware of the sacrifice each juror makes to this system, even if it is not voluntary. The jury system allows our country to continue to uphold the principles of freedom and individual rights established in the Constitution. Without jurors our legal system would be unable to function.

As a representative of the party with the burden of proof, the Plaintiff, I do my best to provide the jurors with a steady flow of evidence without overloading issues or repeating obvious evidence with cumulative witnesses. I appreciate that jurors are sacrificing their time and I would like to extend my thanks to all Cook County jurors for allowing our legal system to function smoothly.


Robert Kreisman of Chicago’s Kreisman Law Offices has been practicing civil justice law for over 30 years, serving areas in and around Cook County, such as Rolling Meadows, Highland Park, Wheaton, and Blue Island.

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