Usage is subject to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Some exemptions are recognized, including being over 72 years old, a full-time student, in the military, or having a disability. [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. [2] Jury selection is the procedure whereby persons from the community are called to court, questioned by the litigants as to their qualifications to serve as a juror and then either selected or rejected to serve as a juror. 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. Your duty as a juror is to observe the trial and decide whether the accused is guilty or not. The Jury Management Office hopes the interactive website is user-friendly and is an efficient way to obtain important information about your jury service. Names are drawn at random from this list. When you report to the courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. 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? Upon request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted. Receiving a summons isnt a guarantee that the person will actually serve on a jury. Access to public records is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. COVID-19 SCREENING AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES. [3] The office of the clerk of court is charged with maintaining the alphabetized list along with a statement of the sources used and procedures followed in preparing the list. Dress comfortably, but not too casually. Remember you will be acting as part of the court while serving as jurors, so dress appropriately. 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. Please see the Juror Support Program pamphlet for additional information and resources. 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. Having to work on a day when a person is supposed to go to jury duty is not an acceptable exemption in North Carolina. You must have a compelling reason why you cannot serve on the assigned date. Will be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation. Find out what to expect when you arrive, how to conduct yourself, and what you need to do when you serve as a juror. Active duty military personnel can be excused by sending in their summons with valid proof of their military orders. If a juror has a family emergency while serving, they can be reached through court staff, who will see that they get the message. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. Grand jurors investigate accusations of crimes committed against the District of Columbia. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. * A medical provider note is not necessary if the juror is seeking to be excused because they are age 72 or over. Bring a book, crossword puzzles, or other materials to occupy your time. Jury Duty 101 is a free public resource site, and is not affiliated with the United States government or any Government agency. If your reporting time is in the afternoon (PM), you MUST visit eresponse.mecknc.gov or call the automated juror information line at 877-649-7133 after 12:00 p.m.on your report date to determine your status. Conclusion. Court staff will give you additional information. Fax: (336) 779-6301, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. If your reporting time is in the morning (AM), you MUST visit eresponse.mecknc.gov or call the automated juror information line at 877-649-7133 after 5:30 p.m. the evening before your scheduled report date to determine if your appearance is still required. 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. Jury Forms. Because jurors will sit on wooden benches it is suggested that you bring a pillow or seat cushion with you for your comfort. After the master jury list is prepared, the name of each qualified person selected for the list shall be recorded and alphabetically arranged. North Carolina has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. Raleigh, NC 27602 If you do not receive a letter in the mail indicating the status of your request at least 24 hours prior to your assigned jury date, you must comply with all the instructions indicated on your jury summons. Jurors who serve more than five days receive $40 a day. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of a person currently infected with the virus for at least 15 minutes total during a 24-hour period. Some will be sent home the same day and will have fulfilled their duty, while others will be picked to potentially serve on a jury. Is liable for damages for the workers loss of wages and other benefits. [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. Jurors are to appear in Room 5450 of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on the date they are summoned. excuses for getting out of jury selection in NC, legally excused from jury duty in North Carolina, A resident of the county in which summoned, having been convicted of a felony, had their civil rights restored, Able to understand and communicate in the English language, Have not been adjudged non compos mentis (sound mind). Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. Mail or fax requests can be submitted to: Chief District Court Judge In the American court system, criminal defendants are guaranteed the right to trial by a "jury of their peers". 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 potential juror may have a valid excuse for not attending jury duty. Jury Service ScamsWARNING: If you fail to appear, you cannot be fined by telephone or email. At least eighteen years of age; having been convicted of a felony, had their civil rights restored . 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. If you lose your jury summons, contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in your county as soon as possible to obtain reporting information. Jurors will be instructed as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time. Jury Forms. 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. Served on a grand jury in the previous six years. North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. In Mecklenburg County, citizens who are summoned for jury service may access the interactive juror website at eresponse.mecknc.gov. To access the Lactation Room, please see one of the Jury Coordinators. Failing to report to grand jury service can lead the U.S. Find information, training, and resources. Serving. Dress for court in a manner that maintains the dignity of the court. [3] The alphabetized list must be kept under lock and key, but it shall be made available for public inspection during regular office hours. Full-time students taking classes can be excused from jury duty if they show supporting documentation of their enrollment. The Lactation Room features a counter and cabinets, a sink with a "hot shot" water dispenser for sanitizing, a changing table, refrigerator, and a rocking chair. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. North Carolina does not provide an automatic exemption from jury service because of a person's profession or age. [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. Find information about jury service in this county. A decision regarding your request will be returned via mail or email. 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. Failure to comply with this summons is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. Common reasons senior citizens may be able to . 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. (Requirements and instructions are listed below.). Read your summons for specific instructions, or view your county's jury service page. 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. Your request must be received no later than seven days prior to your service date. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, their jury service will be complete after that one day. You have a jury duty excuse letter due to a necessary medical procedure. 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. New or unexplained onset of cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, New or unexplained loss of taste or smell, New or unexplained muscle aches (not due to injury or exercise). you may not ultimately end up sitting in on a case. A grand jurys jurors are chosen from a master list of registered voters and licensed drivers, and picked by the jury commission from each county randomly. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the courthouse. Within 10 days of your service date, please review the following COVID-19 screening questions: DO NOT REPORT TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR JURY SERVICE IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO EITHER OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. Your request CANNOT be handled by telephone. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. All jurors will take an oath. North Carolina has a list of valid excuses a juror can use to be excused from jury duty. Additionally, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are readily available throughout the suite, and all seating and other high-touch areas are disinfected daily. Jurors with a disability that interferes with their capacity to serve on a jury must give a brief explanation of their condition when mailing their summons back. For your convenience, we have created several excuse forms described below, however, you are welcome to send in a typed or legible letter. Penalties for contempt of court include: Jurors should contact their jury foreperson if they wish to excuse themselves for a short term. 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. [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. 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. Afterwards, all jurors present will be administered an oath. People who get a summons for jury duty in North Carolina must report to the court. PO Box 20099 The night before their service date, jurors should call the jury information line at (919) 792-4040 and select option one (1). In the initial session of a countys criminal superior court after January 1 and July 1, nine names are selected from the master jury list. [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. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. [3] For each week of district court jury session, the chief district judge of the district court district in which the county is located shall specify the number of jurors to be drawn. Be 18 or older. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested form below, or by mail or fax. 2023 Jury Duty 101. Any phone call stating that a (bench) warrant has been issued for your arrest due to not reporting for jury service is a scam. Residents of the county where the summons was issued. Hawaii and South Dakota begin exempting senior citizens from jury duty when they turn 80. Who is eligible to serve jury duty? As jury selection is made, potential jurors will stay in a courthouse waiting area on their first day. [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. Be a resident of or live in Massachusetts for more than 50% of the year. 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. Receive or send digital communication regarding the case while serving as a juror. [3], The process for preparing the master jury list must be recorded and approved by the commission, and these documents must be made available to the public for inspection in the office of the clerk of court. Any person summoned as a juror who is a full-time student at an out of state educational institution and who wishes to be excused or who is 72 years or older and who wishes to be excused, deferred, or exempted, may make the request without appearing in person by filing a signed statement of the ground of the request at any time five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear. Jurors may bring a book or other reading materials, needlework, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy their time. Hats should never be worn in a courtroom, and you should avoid wearing shorts, t-shirts, tanktops, or anything printed with logos or slogans. Go through the security checkpoint. Bring your parking deck ticket for validation by a Jury Coordinator. Resident of the county of the summons' issuance. As a juror, you are expected to maintain a professional and respectable appearance while performing your duties. You may email the DAC directly by emailing. Request for Excuse. New Mexico has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. Jury service is an important civic function that supports one of the fundamental rights of citizens - the right to have their cases decided by a jury of their peers. [3] If the chief district court judge or the judge or trial court administrator (designated by G.S. Jury service in this county operates on the one-day / one-trial system. Other jury duty exemptions besides age vary from state to state and sometimes even court to court. of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation . The court staff will ensure that jurors get the message. The Judicial Branch is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to benefit from all court services, programs, and activities. Jurors serving on a grand jury receive $20 a day. [2] These policies were originally passed in 1967, and they were revised in 2011. Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or DefermentJury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. It is against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee because he or she served as a juror or grand juror. Court staff will make certain that you receive any emergency messages. Winston-Salem, NC 27120 While efforts will be made by the court to reduce delays in trial starts and to avoid long waiting periods for you, some waiting time should be anticipated while jurors are chosen to sit on a jury. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over at the end of the day. [1] Voir dire has aims to get potential jurors speaking about themselves and to elicit truthful and complete answers from potential jurors. Jury Duty Excuse letter is the reason for giving your excuses in front of local or Federal courts. Parking Information: Free parking is available at the Liberty Plaza parking deck. No employer may discharge or demote any employee because the employee has been called for jury duty, or is serving as a grand juror or petit . Should I bring anything with me to the Courthouse? See G.S.9-6.1. A business cannot penalize a worker for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote that worker. Turn right out of the elevator and report to the Jury Assembly Room (5450). However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. If you DO NOT receive a response to an excusal request, you are still required to appear for jury service if your juror number is called. 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. Electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and iPads/tablets, are allowed in the courthouse. Any person summoned as a juror who has a disability that could interfere with the 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 by filing a signed statement of the ground of the request, including a brief explanation of the disability that interferes with the person's ability to serve as a juror, at any time five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear. Furthermore, employers cannot penalize individuals for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote a worker for time spent on a jury. News How Much Does Jury Duty Pay in NC? 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. Ajury summons is printed andissued to jurorsby U.S. mail. However, not everyone can or will serve on a jury some people dont meet the requirements, and others may be exempt. When reporting to the courthouse, the potential juror will likely watch an orientation video. The summons provides the location of the court and the time and date for reporting. Mail or fax requests can be submitted to: Chief District Court Judge It is very rare for a jury to be sequestered most people go home at the end of each day. 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. For a small number of jurors, though, this may be more challenging than expected. [3] If a prospective juror is excused from duty at that time, that juror may be required to serve as a juror in a subsequent session of court, at which time that juror would be considered the same as if he were regularly summoned for service. If you wish to be deferred from jury service or feel that you do not qualify, please refer to theDeferraland Disqualification pages. However, these reasons may be considered for a. If a prospective juror fails to appear or ignores a summons, they may be found in contempt of court and fined up to $50. In North Carolina, a pool of potential jurors is randomly selected from the local population of individuals eligible for jury duty. Your request must be received no later than ten (10) days prior to your service date. [3] In order to account for jurors whose duty has been deferred until this session, the clerk of superior court may decide to decrease the number of names on the randomized list. Marshal Service to serve the juror with an Order to Show Cause. Until you have received a response from the District Court Judge's Office, you are still . You will be acting as part of the court while serving as a juror, so dress appropriately. You should expect to go home at the end of each court day. Appointments must be made via email at Mecklenburg.Magistrate.Weddings@nccourts.org. They must be: A prospective juror must not have been on a jury in the two years prior to receiving the summons or have served on a grand jury full term in the six years prior. While efforts will be made by the court to reduce delays in trial starts and to avoid long waiting periods, some waiting time should be anticipated while jurors are chosen to sit on a jury. Federal grand juries also convene in North Carolina. Eastern District of North Carolina. From the age of 65 to 80, depending on where you live, you may be able to excuse yourself. Their excuse from jury duty is then at the discretion of the court. Check in with the jury staff when you arrive. Proceed across the atrium to the public elevators and take the elevator to Level 5. General InformationDeferral/Excusal: To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below, Mail, OR Fax. You should be 18 years or older age and you live in the judicial district for one year. (Texas Gov't Code 62.111. You can also be excused if you don't meet the basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in MA . The night before their service date, jurors should call the jury information line at (919) 792-4040 and select option one (1). [1], To begin the process, North Carolina General Statute 9-1 requires that (no later than July 1, 1967), each county shall appoint a jury commission of three members. North Carolina and Wyoming allow an exemption starting at 72 years of age followed by an exemption at 75 years of age in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? [2], North Carolina selects jurors through the use of voir dire, which permits involved parties to ask questions of potential jurors for the purpose of determining whether or not these jurors should serve on the case. Jury Forms. Whether they are a juror for the state or on a federal grand jury panel, ignoring a jury summons wont make it go away, in fact, it can lead to significant fines or even jail time. In North Carolina, as in all states, jury duty is a civic requirement for those who meet the courts requirement of eligibility. Wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably. Fax: (919) 792-4801, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. You also must include the bottom portion of your summons with your excuse request. Who may serve as a juror? If they cannot attend on the date of the summons they can move the date. If they do not, the court could hold them in contempt for ignoring the summons. A summons gives the date, time and location of the court to which the juror must report. You can, however, claim payment if your earnings are in any way affected by your participation. Elected public officials should submit proof of office documentation. Yes. The court may also impose a $50 fine for each day the prospective juror fails to appear. These citizens can request a permanent disqualification from jury selection. There is a newer version of the North Carolina General Statutes . Acceptable excuses for missing jury duty are: An excuse from jury duty is granted only if a juror's service is contrary to the public welfare, health or safety, or the compelling personal hardship of that juror. Find information about jury service in this county. This page explains the excuse request process only. Also, you might want to wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. It is a notice sent to prospective jurors informing them that they have been picked for jury selection. There may be various reasons why jurors feel confused or upset after a trial. [3] The jury commission may also use names from other lists as long as those lists are deemed reliable by that commission.