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10/31/2019
Resent to fix broken 2-1-1 link
Dear Community Leaders,
Hello, and welcome to another edition of “For the People.”
I first want to thank everyone for the positive feedback from our previous “For the People” newsletter. In this issue, we are bringing back the LCCAC Corner from Carrie Flanigan and will have a little insight into what our Electronic Detection Dog, Browser, does in his job. We will also have feature stories regarding what you need to know about jury duty, and the ins and outs about our teen Explorer program. I hope you find this information entertaining and rewarding.
 Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim appears before Illinois House Mental Health Committee in Chicago to discuss the vaping epidemic with DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin.
I was honored to appear before the Illinois House Mental Health Committee in Chicago in September to testify about the teen vaping epidemic in Illinois. I appeared along with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, and others to shed light on this horrible epidemic.
 Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim speaks to people at the 2-1-1 System Launch Breakfast. Seated next to him is WGN-TV News Reporter and Weekend Anchor Jackie Bange.
I’d like to also call attention to Lake County’s new 2-1-1 system. The system, sponsored by the United Way of Lake County, is a free and confidential service that helps people find the health and human service programs they need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People can dial 2-1-1 toll-free from nearly any phone in Lake County to speak confidentially with an information and referral specialist to help find answers to a wide range of questions and connect people with area resources that may be able to offer assistance. However, people should remember that 2-1-1 is not an emergency line. People experiencing police, fire or medical emergencies, should continue to contact 9-1-1. More information can be found at the website https://211lakecounty.org
We continue to face many challenges, but as a community, we face them together. I remain proud of the dedicated men and women of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. As always, I encourage us to continue to work together to ensure that Lake County is a happy, healthy, and safe community. In the interim, I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Halloween!!
Yours,
Spotlight Story
Jury Duty: What You Should Know
A 21-year-old Florida man spent 10 days in jail after he was late to jury duty.
The headline shocked the nation and quickly spread like wildfire across the news. However, as the story played out, so did the revelation that the Floridian never appeared in court after receiving his jury summons and was appointed to a jury. He ignored phone calls on subsequent days after he didn't show up, then didn’t respond to the judge until a sheriff went to pick him up, news agencies have reported.
He spent 10 days in jail, but his probation and public service hours were reduced by the judge after the 21-year-old man apologized to the court. However, the lesson in this incident is clear: jury duty is important!
Like Florida, Illinois and Lake County residents also have a legal obligation to partake in jury duty. Jury service is a vital function of democracy and one of the few responsibilities required of all qualified United States citizens.
Prospective jurors in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Lake County are randomly selected from a database that is updated annually. Residents who were issued an Illinois driver’s license, an Illinois state ID, an Illinois disabled persons ID, or have been registered to vote are all approved to serve on a Lake County jury.
“The lists are randomly selected based on court’s needs, with jury summons being sent six weeks in advance,” said Kasey Dunn Morgan, Assistant Director of Judicial Operations. “The week prior to scheduled service, numbers are again randomly chosen from that list for those that need to actually report. And if a juror’s number is called, at most, a resident is only required to serve once every four years.”
 While most citizens take the responsibility of jury duty seriously, all summoned jurors can be charged with a crime if they fail to complete and return a juror summons and questionnaire within 10 days of receiving the information. They can also be charged with crimes if they misrepresent information on their juror summons, then fail to report for jury duty as directed.
However, Morgan said it's understandable that some people will have conflicts with work, vacations or school that could prevent them from serving jury duty when summoned. In those cases, people can request a disqualification or excuse from jury duty if they meet specific criteria and show documentation of said excuse. Requests will be denied if they do not meet specific criteria for the change, and do not include the required documentation when seeking the delay.
People will need to appear in person on the summoned date unless they receive notification by mail that they have been excused or the date was deferred. But, be clear, officials said, even if you are excused or your date was deferred, you could be called again.
“Extensions can be granted or deferrals can be provided for people who are in need to reschedule jury duty,” Morgan said. “Our circuit is very understanding and respectful of our juror’s time and greatly appreciate their service.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said people should be honored to take part in jury duty.
“Jurys play a pivotal role in the legal process,” Nerheim said. “Taking part in the process is a civic duty that no one should take lightly.”
More information regarding jury duty can be found at 19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/1188/Jury-Commission.Story
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