To The Honorable Representative Gail McCann Beatty & The Honorable Senator Jason Holsman,

My name is Hannah Maher.  I reside in Kansas City, Missouri, 64112.  On July 25, 2018, I was selected to serve on the jury for the trial of Laura Vaughn, et al. v. Landmark Dodge, Inc.  I am requesting that you sponsor legislation to adjust jury duty pay in the state of Missouri.

I am writing to tell you how much my jury duty experience truly impacted me.  When I was summoned, I couldn’t have been more upset.  I tried to find any excuse I could to get out of it.  However, after I was selected and served on the trial that week, I realized what an honor it was to be a juror.  I met people from all walks of life from our community.  I felt empowered as a citizen that I had a voice in the verdict of a trial, and it made me proud to be an American.   

I served on the jury in Independence, the week before Independence Day.  It was a great reminder of the freedom and liberties we have as Americans!

I was inspired by what I learned, but I was most surprised when Judge John Torrence told us that jury pay has not been increased from $6 a day and 7 cents/mile travelled since 1957 in the state of Missouri, specifically in Jackson County!  He encouraged us to write to our state representatives, so that is exactly what I’m doing!

I am so glad I was selected to serve on the jury, but it also caused me stress due to missing work and other prior obligations.  Fortunately, my employer has a pay policy for jury duty.  However, I am sending this letter to consider people who do not have that luxury.  I want everyone to enjoy the experience as much as I did, and I think it would lessen the burden and stress if pay were increased from the current $6 per day rate to minimum hourly wage.

The biggest take away from my jury duty experience is that I can make a difference.  I want people to be excited about being summoned to be on a jury.  I even gave a ToastMasters speech about my experience, inviting the members to sign this letter to show their support for a wage increase as well.

I hope you take our request for an increase in pay for jury duty into consideration.  We appreciate your help and ask that you please send me a response letting me know if you are able to support this important issue.  Thank you for your time and consideration.  And THANK YOU for serving us as our representatives!

Sincerely,

Hannah Maher