Contemporary Term Offends Prospective Juror

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

A 25-year old teacher from New York City, Raeana Roberson, has gained national recognition after reporting for jury duty on Monday, where she noticed the juror information card included a race category featuring a "Black, African-American, or Negro." choice. 

Enraged by the discriminatory term "Negro", Roberson crossed out the word and wrote next to it, "offensive! It's 2014!"  She was expecting a reaction from the court employee when she returned the form, but received none. 

Race categories from the New York courts are created by the U.S. Census Bureau.  Judicial Statue Section 528 requires the courts to obtain prospective juror demographic information.  In the late 1990's, some 56,000 people wrote the word "Negro" under "some other race" category.  As a result, "negro" was added to the 2000 census.

The intention is to present people with words that match their self-identities; not to offend.  The use of the word "negro" has been discontinued by the Census Bureau in 2014, a movement New York courts will soon be following. 

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The attorneys at the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are skilled in representing clients who have been victims of discrimination.  Contact Stober Law to speak to a representative about your legal options.