Judging Juries: Why This Film is More Relevant Now Than Ever Before
As we head into the tumultuous election season of 2024 and look toward the shifting political landscape of 2025, one film stands out as an urgent call to action in the fight for a more just and equitable society. Judging Juries, a powerful documentary from acclaimed director Abby Ginzberg, is not just a local story anymore—it is a national one. What began as an exploration of jury service in the Bay Area has blossomed into a timely commentary on the state of democracy and the critical role of the justice system in shaping the future of our nation.
At its core, Judging Juries tackles the systemic inequities that prevent many people, particularly those from marginalized communities, from fulfilling their civic duty as jurors. From the inadequate pay that discourages participation to the barriers posed by policies like peremptory challenges and prior felony convictions, the film shines a light on how the jury system fails to reflect the diverse communities it serves. In following the efforts of Alameda County Public Defender, Brendon Woods, the film highlights one of the strongest advocates for increasing juror pay and diversifying jury pools.
From Local to National: The Growing Relevance of Judging Juries
Juries need your voice
When Ginzberg first began making Judging Juries, her focus was primarily on the Bay Area. Concerned about the lack of African Americans and Latinos serving of juries in Alameda County, and particulalry Oakland, she set out to discover the source of the problem. When juror pay of $15 per day surfaced as a critical impediment to jury service, she turned her attention to San Francisco, where an innovative pilot program called “Be the Jury” was making waves. The program, which pays jurors $100 per day, proved that increased compensation could lead to more diverse and representative jury pools. This initiative, Ginzberg argues, is not just a localized solution—it is a model for how the rest of the country can address the issue of underrepresentation in jury service. And now, in light of the national conversation around the justice system, Judging Juries has become a critical piece in the puzzle of criminal justice reform.
In California, the fight for increased juror pay has led to the passage of Assembly Bill 1981, which expands juror compensation to $100 per day in several counties, including Alameda, starting in 2024. Ginzberg’s film serves as both a documentation of this progress and a rallying cry for further reform across the nation. In a country where the legal system disproportionately impacts people of color and low-income communities, ensuring that juries are truly representative of society is a matter of social justice. As we head into 2025, Judging Juries speaks directly to this moment, urging citizens to consider their role in shaping the future of American democracy.
The Power of Jury Service in a Time of Political Upheaval
Empower justice through equity
At a time when America’s political and social landscape feels increasingly fractured, the right to be tried by a jury of one’s peers has never been more important. As Ginzberg’s documentary highlights, this fundamental right is under threat due to systemic barriers that prevent many people from participating in the jury process. The issue of juror pay, as the film explores, is one of the most pressing obstacles. In states like California, jurors receive a paltry $15 per day for their service, making it financially impossible for many people to serve without facing significant hardship. The film poignantly argues that this not only undermines the fairness of trials but also contributes to the exclusion of diverse voices from the courtroom.
In an era where marginalized communities continue to fight for representation and voice, ensuring a jury pool that reflects the demographic make-up of the community is not just a legal issue—it is a matter of equity. As Ginzberg points out, the Be the Jury program in San Francisco has shown that when juror pay is increased, more working-class people and people of color are able to participate in jury service, creating a more just and representative legal system. This lesson, initially limited to San Francisco, is now rippling across the country, with states like Mississippi and Pennsylvania being called to reexamine their own jury compensation structures.
The Call to Action: Why Judging Juries Matters Today
Justice needs you now
As we reflect on the current political climate, particularly in the wake of Kamala Harris’s call for resilience in her concession speech, Judging Juries takes on new urgency. Harris’s words, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars,” remind us that even in the face of setbacks and challenges, there is hope. For Abby Ginzberg, Judging Juries represents one of those stars—a beacon of hope and justice in an era that desperately needs both. As the film’s message continues to resonate with audiences across the country, it calls for a renewed commitment to the principles of democracy, fairness, and equality.
In light of the 2024 election season, where issues like racial justice, police reform, and the integrity of the judiciary are front and center, Judging Juries becomes an essential tool in sparking conversations about the future of the American legal system. The film’s exploration of the barriers to jury service, and its emphasis on the importance of diverse juries in ensuring fair trials, could not be more timely. As the nation moves toward 2025, Ginzberg’s work provides both an important reflection on the state of the system and a hopeful blueprint for the future.
A Movement Beyond the Screen
Change begins with you
The film’s success at prestigious film festivals like the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, the DC Black Film Festival, and the Independent Shorts Festival speaks to its wide-reaching impact. But Judging Juries is not just a film to be watched—it is a call to action. Ginzberg and her team are working to bring the film to communities and organizations across the country, urging viewers to consider how they can contribute to the movement for a more just system. The film’s screenings at venues like Duke University, Vanderbilt Law School, and Seattle University Law School, as well as upcoming screenings for Gideon’s Promise and the Innocence Project are just the beginning of what is sure to be a growing movement that will carry into 2025 and beyond.
One of the key messages of Judging Juries is the power of grassroots action in effecting change. Whether through supporting increased juror pay, advocating for the elimination of policies that exclude people with felony convictions from jury service, or simply educating the public on the importance of jury duty, the film calls on all of us to play a part in reshaping the system. Ginzberg’s message is clear: reforming jury service is not just about improving the justice system—it is about strengthening democracy itself.
Justice through shared stories
As we look ahead to 2025, Judging Juries stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in driving social change. It is a film that is more than just a reflection of where we are—it is a blueprint for where we need to go. In a country still grappling with the legacies of racial inequality and economic injustice, ensuring that juries are truly representative of the communities they serve is a critical step toward achieving a more equitable and fair justice system.
Abby Ginzberg’s work continues to inspire and challenge us. As we face the challenges ahead, Judging Juries reminds us that each of us has a role to play in ensuring that the promise of justice is upheld for all. It is a film that urges us to look beyond the surface, to dig deeper into the ways our systems of power and privilege operate, and to commit to making real change. In 2024 and beyond, Judging Juries will continue to be a vital part of the conversation, guiding us toward a future where justice is truly by the people, for the people.
For more information about upcoming screenings and to get involved in the movement, visit www.judgingjuriesfilm.com Together, we can build a more just future for all.
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