Recession means more balky jurors in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (AP) — The recession has doubled the number of people asking to avoid jury duty in Cleveland for economic reasons.

Hundreds of people called for jury duty each week are asking to postpone or cancel their jury service. The reasons include people who can’t afford the trip downtown, can’t leave their small businesses or don’t want to upset the boss at a new job.

Cuyahoga County recently increased the number of jurors it summons each week in Cleveland from about 1,100 to about 1,200. Jury service usually lasts four or five days.