As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, we are reminded that the American experiment was built not only on ideals, but on action. Among the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence was the denial of the right to trial by jury, a right so fundamental that it helped spark a revolution.

It is a principle Americans fought, bled and died for.

Nearly two and a half centuries later, that same right endures, not in theory, but through the everyday service of citizens who answer the call to serve as jurors.

Because that right depends on ordinary residents stepping forward, it also depends on a system that can support them.

Florida’s Clerks of Court are currently working with the Legislature to secure an additional $4.8 million in needed funding for jury management, an investment that would help ensure this constitutional guarantee remains accessible, efficient and fair.

At its core, this investment is about people. That is why Juror Appreciation Week holds such significance each year. It gives us an opportunity to recognize the individuals across Florida who step away from their jobs, families and routines to uphold this cornerstone of our democracy.

Serving on a jury is more than a civic duty. It is a direct expression of self-governance and one of the clearest ways citizens exercise real power in our system, the power to weigh evidence, determine facts and render decisions that can change lives.

Supporting this process are your Clerks of Court and Comptrollers, who serve as the backbone of jury administration. From summoning jurors to managing the logistics of trials, we ensure the system functions fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the law. We also work to modernize the juror experience, streamlining check-ins, improving communication and reducing unnecessary delays, so that service is as accessible and respectful as possible.

But there is a growing disconnect between the value we place on jury service and the resources we dedicate to it.

In Florida, jurors are paid just $15 per day, an amount that has not kept pace with the realities of modern life. At the same time, the costs of administering jury service have risen sharply. Since Fiscal Year 2016–17, state funding for jury management has remained flat.

Yet during the same period, jury summonses have increased by 44% and postage costs by 66%.

To keep the system running, Clerks are often forced to backfill these costs by cutting other community services. That is not a sustainable model for a function so essential to our democracy.

As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we should remember that our system of justice belongs to the people.

Every time a Floridian serves on a jury, they carry forward a tradition that dates back to our nation’s founding, one that’s grounded in liberty, responsibility and the belief that justice is strongest when it is placed in the hands of the people.

This week, we thank Florida’s jurors and call for adequate funding for the Clerk of Courts to support their service.

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Doug Chorvat Jr. serves as president of the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers, and is Hernando County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

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