Expedited Jury Trial Bill

The Consumer Attorneys of California have co-sponsored AB 2284 the “expedited jury trial bill” and this bill is now coming down to final vote in the state legislature. The new rules for jury trials in civil matters are being heard in California courts.

It is a fact that the rising costs of litigation presents an ongoing challenge in providing access to justice for a number of litigants, especially those with small claim traditional trials can be time consuming and expensive for both litigants and the courts. The changes offered in the expedited jury trial bill AB 2284 would change this situation and make the courts more accessible, which is always a goal for the justice system.

This bill would establish the expedited jury trial in California as a voluntary alternative. It is important to remember that this expedited trial would only be available if the parties agree to it and the case is a suitable case for it. AB 2284 proposes a method that still allows parties to get their day in court, provides cost savings to the parties, reduces the backlog of civil cases, and more efficiently manages jury resources. Consumer Attorneys of California, a co-sponsor of this bill, also stress that an important factor of this bill is that litigants may participate on a mutually voluntary basis when it suits the needs of the case. This expedited system should cut litigation costs for plaintiffs, defendants, insurance carriers, and the courts.

How does this bill make the court system more efficient? First, both sides can stipulate to a high and low range on damages, which guarantees that plaintiffs are paid a minimum amount and that defendants can cap their liability. Second, there would only be eight jurors empanelled and no alternates, as opposed to the 12 with alternates a usual trial would use. Third, the jury selection process would be made easier by using a questionnaire agreed upon by the parties, by limiting the use of peremptory challenges, and by allowing the judge to participate. This system would allow a jury to be chosen in a matter of a few hours rather than days in a regular trial.

One of the things AB 2284 does is to allow the courts to clear their backlog of civil cases, which of course makes the civil process quicker and more efficient. Also all the litigants will get a fast and fair jury trial under the provisions of this bill. It appears to be a win/win situation. We at BISNAR | CHASE Personal Injury Attorneys are highly in favor of passage of this Bill.

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