Check in with the jury staff when you arrive. This page explains the excuse request process only. Volunteer Safety Personnel will be excused upon submission of a written individual request and supporting documentation. Summons to Appear to Complete Juror Qualification Form. Ajury summons is printed andissued to jurorsby U.S. mail. Petit jurors decide either civil or criminal cases. Every odd numbered year, the jury commissioner shall prepare the master jury list, by merging records of registered voters and persons with drivers licenses, and any other lists the jury commissioner may deem reliable, for the biennium of jury service, to commence January 1st the following year. The employee should notify their employer of their jury service as soon as they receive the summons and ask about the business payment policy in regard to jury duty. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. A North Carolina juror is paid certain amounts for the time they serve jury duty: A prospective juror must appear on their court date. We have set up a jury information line at 1-800-246-7607 that provides detailed information on the types (medical, age, residence, etc.) Disability: A person who has a physical or mental impairment can avoid jury service. If a meeting is canceled, the court will send the jurors a notice of that cancellation. After questioning, the lawyers begin excusing potential jurors that they believe are not qualified, able or fit to serve. Until you have received a response from the District Court Judge's Office, you are still . Persons qualified to serve must: Exemptions, Excuses and Postponements may be granted for the following reasons: Excuses will be granted ONLY for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Mentally and physically competent. [3] In North Carolina counties in which a trial court administrator is in place, the trial court administrator may be assigned the duty of reviewing applications for excuses from service. [3] After a citizen applies for excusal from service, each chief district court judge shall receive, hear, and pass on applications for excuses from jury duty prior to the date on which the jury session convenes. [3], Process according to North Carolina General Statutes, "Jury Commissions, Preparation of Jury Lists, and Drawing of Panels", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_Carolina_Jury_Selection_Policies&oldid=694501174, This page was last edited on 9 December 2015, at 17:43. . Having to work on a day when a person is supposed to go to jury duty is not an acceptable exemption in North Carolina. If you were not selected to serve on any jury during the voir dire process, you can go home, and your North Carolina jury duty obligations are complete. Similarly, prospective jurors who have recently traveled in Level 3Travel Health Notice Countries should not report, unless they have been cleared by local health officials, as well as individuals experiencing symptoms should not report. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. [3] In addition, those who have not been convicted of a felony or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony (or if convicted of a felony or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony have had their citizenship restored pursuant to law), and who have not been adjudged non compos mentis. [3] These members serve for a term or two years, and appointees may be reappointed to successive terms. How Much Does Jury Duty Pay in NC? in Communications and English from Niagara University. In larger counties, several court sessions are held at the same time, so you may hear either criminal or civil matters. Hawaii and South Dakota begin exempting senior citizens from jury duty when they turn 80. [3] The persons who are summoned may serve as jurors in either the superior court or district court or both for the week specified, and they will be discharged at the end of the weekly session(s), unless they are involved with a trial of a case, in which case they will be discharged when the trial is completed..[3], According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all persons are qualified to serve as jurors and to be included on the master jury list who are citizens of the State and residents of the county. If not selected again, those jurors will be allowed to go home at the end of the day, having completed their jury service. A senior superior court judge may set a grand jurys term of only six months if serving 12 months places a burden on the jurors. Resident of the county of the summons' issuance. Talk about the case to anyone while serving as a juror. Look for information about the case from an outside source while serving as a juror. Fax: (919) 792-4801, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. Occasionally, a grand jury may extend to 18 months of service. You must have a compelling reason why you cannot serve on the assigned date. Access to public records is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Jurors are to appear in Room 5450 of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on the date they are summoned. Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or DefermentJury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. See G.S.9-6.1. The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Courts Office will be open to the public between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On-Site Child Care [3] The three-member committee chooses jurors from a master list that they compile using the policies that are given in G.S. The Jury Act, which is set out at Title 28, U.S. Code, Sections 1861-1878, calls for random selection of citizens' names from voters lists or from voter . Jurors should dress professionally and comfortably, but not too casually. [3] For that reason, excuses from the discharge of this responsibility should be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship or because requiring service would be contrary to the public welfare, health, or safety. [3] The clerk of court may elect to store an electronic copy of the alphabetized list for the county. Your request must be received no later than seven days prior to your service date. It is not necessary to disclose the personal details of your specific medical condition. We read every comment! [3] If the chief district court judge or the judge or trial court administrator (designated by G.S. Jurors are expected to be available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the length of the trial they have been selected for. Grand jurors receive $20 per day. When reporting to the courthouse, the potential juror will likely watch an orientation video. If your answers to questions lead the attorneys or the judge to feel that you could not be objective in considering the evidence in this trial, you will be dismissed with the courts thanks. Afterwards, all jurors present will be administered an oath. A new group of jurors are summoned each day of the week and, if selected to serve on a jury, a juror will serve for the duration of the trial. While there are a few excuses for getting out of jury selection in NC, most people summoned will have to report to the courthouse for the next stage of the juror selection process, voir dire. Receiving a Jury Duty Summons in North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court will mail you a check for the appropriate amount. You Already Served. [3] Anyone who is summoned as a juror who has a disability that could interfere with that person's ability to serve as a juror and who wishes to be excused, deferred, or exempted may make the request without appearing in person. All jurors will take an oath. Jury service is a mandatory civic duty, but if a person has an acceptable excuse for missing jury duty, they can let the court know and show supporting documentation. Winston-Salem, NC 27120 Lunch will not be provided; however, you may bring your own lunch. (Requirements and instructions are listed below.). *If submitting documentation via email, please be aware that you assume all of the risks associated with transmitting any confidential or personal information over email. Information about jury service as a duty and why it is important in the administration of justice. As a full-time student, you can be exempted from jury duty if participating in them will make you miss a significant amount of classes. Below are a few of the reasons why you might be excused from jury duty. While efforts will be made to reduce delays and to avoid long waiting periods, some waiting time should be anticipated. [1] North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. North Carolina law provides for the compensation of citizens who are called for jury service at the rate of $12 for day one of service. In Mecklenburg County, citizens who are summoned for jury service may access the interactive juror website at eresponse.mecknc.gov. To serve as a Massachusetts juror, you must: Be a citizen of the United States. Employers in North Carolina are also forbidden from penalizing employees who miss work for jury duty. If scheduled to report, all jurors report to the Jury Assembly Room on the third floor of the Wake County Justice Center. A new group of jurors are summoned each day of the week and, if selected to serve on a jury, a juror will serve for that day or for the length of a trial. North Carolina, North Dakota, Wyoming: 75: Arizona, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee: 80: . Among states that allow residents to get out of jury duty based solely on age, South Carolina's current exemption age of 65 is the lowest in the country, tied with Mississippi. A refrigerator and microwave are located in the Jury Assembly Room for your convenience. Other jury duty exemptions besides age vary from state to state and sometimes even court to court. North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. Jurors cannot: Approximately every two years, a Jury Commission in every county in the state compiles a master list of residents that are licensed drivers or registered voters. You can also be excused if you don't meet the basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in MA . However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. Please take any supporting documents, such as letters from your employer or doctor with you. If you are seated for a trial, you must serve until the trial ends, which could be two days to several weeks. We have set up a jury information line at 1-800-246-7607 that provides detailed information on the types (medical, age, residence, etc.) [3] The alphabetized list must be kept under lock and key, but it shall be made available for public inspection during regular office hours. After the master jury list is prepared, the name of each qualified person selected for the list shall be recorded and alphabetically arranged. Work is not a valid reason for skipping jury duty in North Carolina. [3] Also, prospective jurors will qualify who have not served as jurors during the preceding two years, who are 18 years of age or over, who are physically and mentally competent, who can hear and understand the English language. Grand jurors serve for a total of 27 workdays. Please listen to their instructions carefully. Read your summons for specific instructions, or view your county's jury service page. They must: Those who wish to be deferred, exempted or excused from serving on a jury in North Carolina can file a statement on the back of the summons at least five business days prior to their scheduled appearance at the courthouse. Your feedback regarding the website is welcomed. Again, note that laws regarding jury duty and applicable exemptions can vary by state. [3] The clerk of superior court then may either prepare and issue the summons from that office or may deliver the printed list of summonses or list of names and addresses of jurors to the sheriff, who will then issue the summonses in accordance with the provisions of G.S, 9-10(a). Those serving more than five days get $40 a day. [3] One member of the commission shall be appointed by the senior regular resident superior court judge, one member by the clerk of superior court, and one member by the board of county commissioners. Jurors will be instructed as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time. A jury summons, or an official court summons, is the notice individuals get stating they have been picked for jury duty. . Those who are seated must serve as jurors until the completion of the trial. You will be acting as part of the court while serving as a juror, so dress appropriately. Please also bring a pen or pencil. It is extremely rare for a jury to be "sequestered" or kept in a hotel during a trial. Once a trial begins and you are sworn in, you will be given a juror badge to wear until you are released by the judge. Citizens over the age of 75 can be exempt from jury service under this age exception.. A person who is seventy-five years of age or older may file affidavit requesting an exemption from jury service and shall be permanently exempt from jury service. For women, this means a professional-looking pair of pants or a skirt, cardigan, sweater, twinset, or shirt. The summons provides the location of the court and the time and date for reporting. [3] The person must file a signed statement of the ground of the request, and this statement must include a brief explanation of the disability that interferes with the person's ability to serve as a juror. Additionally, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are readily available throughout the suite, and all seating and other high-touch areas are disinfected daily. The lunch break is normally held between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. A trial could last two days or several weeks, depending on the case. You should expect that you will be allowed to go home at the end of each court day. Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? [3] For each week of superior court sessions, the senior resident superior court judge for the district(s) shall specify the number of jurors to be drawn. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. If a prospective juror fails to appear or ignores a summons, they may be found in contempt of court and fined up to $50. Jurors should report to room 432 on the 4th floor of the Hall of Justice at 200 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC, as instructed on your summons. All rights reserved. 18 years of age or older. For questions or comments about your service, please include your juror index number. While jury duty is a civic requirement for all eligible citizens in Nebraska, there are a number of excuses that can be used to legally get out of being required to report for jury selection or jury duty, or receive a deferral.. Nebraska has a list of specific excuses that can be used to be exempt from reporting for jury duty, including excuses for military, elected official, student, age . The night before their service date, jurors should call the jury information line at (919) 792-4040 and select option one (1). In Nevada, citizens 65-plus who live more than 65 miles from the courthouse can be exempted . Prospective jurors commonly use the following ground to request jury duty exemptionNorth Carolina does not recognize them all: At least every two years, a three-person Jury Commission for each county oversees the compiling of a master jury list oflicensed drivers and / or registered voters. Their exemption from jury duty is then at the discretion of the court. 9-6(c)), and it is up to the judge or trial court administrator to accept or reject either in the exercise of discretion conferred by G.S. In reference to the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 ("Pact Act"): The text of the PACT Act may be found here. To be eligible to serve as a juror you must meet the following qualifications: What if I can't serve on the date I have been told to report to the courthouse? Jury service in this county operates on the one-day / one-trial system. If a family emergency occurs while you are serving, you may be contacted through the Clerk of Courts office or at an emergency number given to you by a bailiff. In smaller counties, your jury summons may tell you whether you are summoned for a criminal or civil session of court. Those who make the cut as jurors must serve until the trial is completed, which could take a few days or several weeks, depending on the case. . Federal grand juries also convene in North Carolina. Your duty as a juror is to observe the trial and decide whether the accused is guilty or not. During the voir dire process, each lawyer will ask the pool of potential jurors a series of questions about their background, beliefs, prejudices, or relationships with any party to the case. Citizens over the age of 72 can be exempt from jury service under this age exception.. A prospective juror 72 years of age or older may request to be excused, deferred, or exempt by completing and mailing back the summons and supporting age documentation. Age 72 (North Carolina and Wyoming) Age 75 (Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) . Please follow the parking instructions carefully. Find out what to expect when you arrive, how to conduct yourself, and what you need to do when you serve as a juror. Jurors serve on a petit or grand jury, as indicated on the summons. Learn more about how to avoid jury duty scams. A person who ignores a jury summons may receive a Delinquency Notice, a Failure to Appear Notice, or a Notice of Hearing on an Application for Criminal Complaint. In many cases, they dont get picked and, after just one day, theyve fulfilled their civic obligation. Find information about jury service in this county. North Carolina: Excused at age 72; North Dakota: Excused at age 72; Ohio: Excused at age 75; Oklahoma: Excused at age 70; Oregon: Excused at age 70; [1] Voir dire has aims to get potential jurors speaking about themselves and to elicit truthful and complete answers from potential jurors. New Mexico has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. While jury candidates are instructed to be open and truthful when answering such questions, the juror selection process is also where most individuals who don't wish to serve on a trial find a way to be excused from further juror duties. They are made up of 18 jurors who hear testimony and look at other evidence to determine whether an organization or individual should be formally charged with a crime. Requests for any reason should be made as soon as possible, and in any event, at least five days before the reporting date. Those serving on a grand jury get $20 a day. Will be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation. [3] The number of names on this randomized list must be equal to the number of jurors required for the scheduled session or sessions. The North Carolina jury selection policies govern a process used to find a panel of jurors who will be fair and impartial to both sides during a trial. Why are some jurors dismissed and not allowed to sit for a trial? Those who do not meet these exemptions can still submit an excuse letter if they believe jury service would cause them undue hardship. There are a number of legal excuses that the court allows as exemptions from jury selection. Children are not allowed in the Jury Assembly Room. They may request an exemption by filling out the information requested on the summons at least five business days before they are scheduled to appear for jury selection. The process of "Voir Dire", the actual act of jury selection, is how judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors actually choose the individuals who will sit on the juries for upcoming criminal and civil cases. If you lose your jury summons, contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in your county as soon as possible to obtain reporting information. Fax: (336) 779-6301, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, shorts, or shirts with offensive wording. Is liable for damages for the workers loss of wages and other benefits. Each court jurisdiction has different qualifications, but in general, persons older than 70 are exempt from serving jury duty. [3] However, public access to juror information shall be limited to the alphabetized list of the names with no access to the addresses, which are confidential and not subject to discloser without an order of the court. For general comments you may email nyjuror@nycourts.gov or call 1-800-NYJUROR [1-800-695-8767]. The commissions then draw names at random to send a summons to prospective jurors via U.S. mail. [3], The names of individuals who have been summoned for jury service as well as the dates on which the individuals have served must be noted on the master jury list. [3] This includes the substitution of a temporary exemption for a requested permanent exemption. Personal computers are available for use in the Juror Business Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring reading materials to occupy your time. It is 72 in North Carolina and 75 in Pennsylvania. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Postal Service of the Court's decision. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. This may be mailed or faxed to: Chief District Court Judge Grand jurors investigate accusations of crimes committed against the District of Columbia. Panel selections can often last more than one day. Wake County Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates, eCourts is Now Live in Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake Counties, Legal Notices, Disclaimers and Terms of Use, Have not served as a juror during the preceding two (2) years or as a grand juror in the past six (6) years, NOT a Wake County, North Carolina Resident, Students enrolled full time in a learning institution, Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored. All Guilford County residents are qualified by state law to serve as a juror unless they: Have been adjudged incompetent; Are NOT a United States citizen; Are NOT a resident of Guilford County, NC; Are UNDER 18 years of age; Have been convicted of a felony or offense and have not had their citizenship restored by law; Larry King's Clubhouse: Children's Play & Care Center provides free childcare services to jurors and may be contacted at (704) 686-0285. The court may request a physician's letter supporting their claim. You should mail this form as soon as possible to U.S. District Court, 324 W. Market St., Greensboro, N.C., 27401 Attn: Jury. While the goal is to select an impartial jury to render a verdict, each attorney will also seek to exclude any jurors who seem to be more likely to vote against their client's interests. For the status of your application, you can: check online, or. You should dress comfortably, but not too casually. [3], At least 30 days prior to any district or superior court cases that require a jury, either the clerk, assistant clerk, or deputy clerk must prepare a randomized list of potential jurors from the master jury list. 9-1 through 9-9.,[2], During every odd-numbered year, the jury commission is charged with the duty of preparing a master list of prospective jurors who are qualified to serve beginning on January 1 of the next year.