By MATT CHANDLER
Buffalo Law Journal

Mehrl King chuckles when you ask him what he plans to do with himself in retirement.

The Erie County commissioner of jurors, who retires today after 32 years on the job, said that's the question everyone seems to be asking him. But unlike many in his position, King, 59, said don't expect to see him polishing his resume any time soon.

"I can tell you one thing, you won't see me working in a paid position," he said.

King plans to enjoy his retirement after three decades in the court system, 25 years of which were spent as the head man overseeing the juries of Erie County.

"I know people do it," he says of seeking new jobs after retirement, "but I'm the boss here. Why would I want to leave and go work for someone else? If I was going to do that, I would just stay here."

King said he just knew it was time, and that although the decision was tough, he spent the last year weighing his options, and says he is happy with the timing of his retirement.

"I think it is time for someone else to move in - new ideas, fresh ideas," he says. "To improve on things, to change things and not become stagnant."

King, who heads a full-time staff of 10 people who together are responsible for issuing 90,000 summonses to appear for jury duty annually and processing and preparing roughly 30,000 people to serve each year, says a lot has changed since he joined the office as deputy commissioner in 1977.

"The biggest difference, of course, is the electronic advances," he says. "Everything now has changed so dramatically, and it has streamlined the jury process."

King also says that, contrary to popular sentiment, being selected for jury duty isn't as dreaded as it used to be.

"The process has become a lot more jury-friendly over the years," he says. "It used to be, back in '77, if you were chosen, you sat for a week whether you were needed or not." Today, a streamlined, electronic system allows jurors to call in and see if they are needed, and someone selected for jury duty is exempt for eight years from having to serve again, whether they serve or not. "We have a large pool of jurors, and we thought everyone should have to serve once before you get called again," King says.

He says the best part of the job has been working with the many Western New York residents who come in to serve on a jury.

"The biggest thing with the jurors coming in is the average citizen, the hourly worker who is losing something and is inconvenienced (to serve), is so dedicated as far as reporting, participating and wanting to be here," he says. "It is so rewarding to see these people come in and see the human side, that they actually take it very seriously."

As he prepares to wake up on Friday morning and embark on his first day of retirement, King says he is looking forward to working on his golf game and returning to coaching softball, something he had done for 20 years prior to stepping down last year to focus on the transition from his job.

"I've coached high school, varsity and traveling teams, and softball has been very good to me," he says. "My three daughters all played, and it is something I would like to maybe take to the next level and help out at a college."

Athletic opportunities aside, King says he will miss the day-to-day work he has been part of for three decades.

"It's been very enjoyable, and the people have been great," he says. "I'll miss that the most."

Hon. Sharon Townsend, administrative judge for the 8th Judicial District, along with Erie County Legislature Chairwoman Lynn Marinelli and Senior Erie County Court Judge Hon. Michael D'Amico, will appoint King's successor.  

Townsend said last week that the panel had not yet met to discuss possible replacements but would do so in the near future.