[rmxt]

I definitely think that those are good things: keeping order in a physical space when tensions are high and people's lives and livelihoods are at stake is no small task. But, I do believe that respect for tradition for the sake preserving this specter of a sort of "national respect" for the judiciary is misguided, possibly bordering on fetishization. I'd rather see that energy and same devotion used to make courts a truly public element of government that an average person can understand. Tangibly, I'd like to see people not dread going to jury duty and/or have a good understanding of what to expect before they go. I think that discarding some of the "courtroom mystique" would go a long way towards that.

[harryh]

People don't dread going to jury duty because of any sort of dress code. I wore jeans and a t-shirt to jury duty last time I was called.

They dread going to jury duty because they'd rather spend their time doing something that contributes to their own personal well being (doing a job, raising a family, having fun).

[jrockway]

I like jury duty. It's like being an elected representative, but without a tiring campaign and several years of work. It's just a one day slice :)