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Parties in a criminal or civil trial could be guaranteed that members of their racial group make up half the jury under a measure an organization wants to put before state lawmakers or voters. Ypsilanti-based People of Diversity United for Equality received the go-ahead Monday to start collecting signatures for proposed legislation that supporters say would protect people from racially biased jury trials. The Board of State Canvassers approved the form of the petitions to be circulated. The measure, called the "Casey 50/50 Jury Act," would let plaintiffs or defendants ask that half of those in the jury box have an identical or similar racial appearance to their own. If enough minority jurors weren't available in some parts of Michigan, jurors could be exchanged from other parts of the state. The state would provide transportation, lodging and food for jurors who were required to travel outside their home jurisdiction. The group must collect 254,206 valid signatures within a 180-day period to initiate the legislation, which would first go the Legislature. The Legislature then would have 40 session days to adopt or reject the proposal. If rejected, which appears likely, the proposal would head to voters in November 2006. "Certain races are being stricken off juries," said Roderick Casey, leader of the group backing the initiative. "This is something we feel would prevent some unscrupulous people from using racially biased tactics to win cases." [more]