Jane M. Meyer and her colleagues are guardians of one of the most powerful duties of democracy. In the end, everyone bows to it, even judges, Jazz players, politicians and the media.

Meyer "pulls" prospective jurors for hundreds of cases each year in the state's busiest court. If you don't answer her call, you can explain yourself to a judge who could throw jail time or a fine at you.It rarely comes to that for the 4,000 people in Salt Lake County every month who get notices for possible jury service. Meyer says most of them do their best to answer the call.

Since becoming jury coordinator for 3rd District Court in 1991, Meyer and her fellow coordinator, Cherie Nordgran, have summoned several judges, Jazz forward Adam Keefe, a lieutenant governor, Mayor Deedee Corradini, Sen. Orrin Hatch and news reporters.

They all showed up at the courthouse or at least checked in to clarify their responsibilities.

"Adam Keefe really wanted to serve, but he wondered whether his schedule would allow it. Turned out he didn't need to serve, but he was willing and ready," Meyer said.

Occasionally, there are people who feel immune from jury duty, she said. Doctors, business owners and the elderly most often question their summonses to be on call for potential service.

"Once in a while, we'll get someone over 65 who believes they're exempt because of their age," Meyer said. "We kindly explain that no one is exempt, unless they're dead."

Qualified jurors must be at least 18 years old, have no felony criminal record and be a U.S. citizen.

Meyer pulls from driver's license records and voter registration lists.

Once a person receives notice of potential service, he or she completes a survey and is either qualified for or disqualified from the pool.

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If qualified, each person is then "on-call" for a particular week. If the case he or she may sit on goes to trial, the prospective juror undergoes a selection process in the courtroom.

Fewer than half of the 4,000 pulled from the lists each month actually deliberate in a case, Meyer said.

Almost all jurors seem to be better for the experience, although they start out feeling frustrated, Meyer said.

"Child care is a big problem, and people not getting paid by their employers is another frustration," she said. "But I don't remember anyone who served saying they hated it. Most of their feedback is really positive."

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