Ischia Bravo, the first female Latina Bronx County Clerk, has notably refrained from issuing fines for jury duty non-compliance since her appointment. She believes that penalties deter civic engagement and negatively impact residents’ lives by affecting credit and property ownership. Instead, Bravo adopts a compassionate and understanding approach, aiming to increase participation without punitive measures. Despite a low response rate of 23% for jury duty qualification questionnaires, she remains optimistic about improving participation and insists on the importance of civic duty for upholding democracy, while recognizing the need for proactive structure adjustments in the future.
As Bronx County Clerk, Ischia Bravo aims to increase jury duty participation without imposing fines, arguing that penalties hurt community members' opportunities and engagement.
During my two-year tenure, I have not done non-compliance... I don't think that we should penalize folks for lack of understanding and lack of civic engagement.
The questionnaire that forms the initial step of qualifying for jury duty in the Bronx has a 23% response rate... If something isn't done sooner rather than later, then it's not going to ensure democracy in our courts.
I will not hinder any Bronxite from getting credit or property because of a jury duty fine.
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