The jury box, once the heartbeat of American justice, is on life support. Fewer than 2% of federal criminal cases reach a jury trial today, a shocking drop from the days when our Founding Fathers championed random public selection to keep power in check. Why? Settlements, plea deals, and pricey lawyers are strangling the system, leaving the jury box irrelevant. Let’s unpack this mess.

The Vanishing Jury Box

Back in the 18th century, the jury box thrived as a shield against tyranny. The Magna Carta and our Constitution guaranteed trials by peers, ensuring no king or corrupt judge could steamroll the people. Fast forward to 2025, and only 1.8% of federal criminal cases went to jury trial in 2020, with 98% ending in plea deals. Why bother with juries when mandatory minimums scare defendants into pleading guilty to avoid decades in jail? It’s like choosing between a punch to the face or a kick to the shins—neither’s fun.

Settlements: Justice’s Silent Killer

Under-the-radar settlements are the jury box’s grim reaper. In civil cases, settlements are king because trials are costly and unpredictable. The RAND Institute found that many claims settle before trial due to rising litigation costs and modern discovery rules that push parties to compromise. Companies love this—why face a jury’s wrath when you can pay hush money? Our Founding Fathers would be livid, knowing their vision of public judgment is swapped for backroom deals. Meanwhile, the public scrolls X, griping about injustice without stepping into the jury box.

Paid Protestors, Packed Jails

Speaking of scrolling, people seem too busy chasing viral fame to care about jury duty. Instead, we’ve got paid protestors—yes, folks hired to wave signs for causes they barely understand. The justice system’s no better: jails overflow, costing taxpayers billions, while lawyers charge $500 an hour to dodge trials. Politicians? They’re swimming in tax dollars, untouched by accountability, as juries sit empty. The jury box isn’t quite dead – yet – but it’s coughing up dust while elites laugh all the way to the bank.

When Juries Ruled the Roost

The jury box peaked when citizens felt patriotic about civic duty. In the 1800s, juries checked government overreach, like in the 1670 case of William Penn, where jurors refused to convict despite pressure. Today, jury service is a chore, not a badge of honor. X posts moan about “wasted time” on jury duty, but serving was once how “We the People” kept justice alive. Now, media lies and political divides taint the pool, making impartial juries rarer than a unicorn.

Reviving the Jury Box

So, how do we make the jury box thrive again? Daily jury duties sound noble, but courts can’t handle the logistics. Instead, we need to value civic participation. Stop settling everything, limit mandatory minimums, and maybe—just maybe—people will ditch their phones and serve. Patriotism isn’t posting rants on X; it’s showing up to judge fairly.

Questions to Ponder

Is the jury box truly dead, or can we revive it? Why do we let settlements silence our voice? How can everyday Americans reclaim justice from the elite’s grip? Share your thoughts below—don’t just scroll by.

Like this article?
☕️ Share a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/criordan
👉 Follow me on X: @CRiordan2024
Click HERE to read more from Clara Dorrian.