If chosen to serve as a grand juror, service is required every other Monday for a six-month period. Elected public officials should submit proof of office documentation. This page explains the excuse request process only. In our continuing efforts to make performing jury service in Mecklenburg County even more convenient for citizens, we have added a Lactation Room for nursing mothers. You will receive nominal North Carolina jury duty pay for the jury selection day, as well as for any days served on a jury. Raleigh, NC 27602 Talk to anyone about the case while theyre serving on the jury. . North Carolina, North Dakota, Wyoming: 75: Arizona, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee: 80: . North Carolina has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. As jury selection is made, potential jurors will stay in a courthouse waiting area on their first day. Conclusion. 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. You may also submit your request online with supporting documentation using this form. [3] The time and place for which applications for excuses will be heard must be publicly announced, and prospective jurors must be informed of this time and place. This site was designed to manage the most common requests related to jury service and offers many helpful features for jurors, including the ability to: To log onto the interactive site, you will need your juror ID and date of birth. Some of the most common excuse requests are described below: Home | Contact Us | Employment | Glossary of Legal Terms, Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, Chief Judge John S. Brubaker, Clerk of Court, Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS), Pro Se (Non-Prisoner) Information and Forms, Issuance of Subpoenas to Pro Se Litigants, Requesting CM/ECF NextGen Login Privileges, Next Generation of CM/ECF Information & Resources, Medical excuses require a statement from a medical provider which briefly explains why the medical condition prevents you from serving on a jury. "Every year, thousands of Pennsylvanians attend jury . Individuals selected for jury duty are chosen randomly by an automated system of registered voters and licensed drivers. 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. General InformationDeferral/Excusal: To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below, Mail, OR Fax. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Have you experienced any of the symptoms in the list below in the past 48 hours? A felony conviction unless they have restored their citizenship rights. The guide outlines employers' responsibilities regarding jury service in North Carolina. COVID-19 SCREENING AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES. Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? 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. A request to be excused or deferred from jury service is printed on the back of your summons. The court may request a physician's letter supporting their claim. Requests for any reason should be made as soon as possible, and in any event, at least five days before the reporting date. Appointments must be made via email at Mecklenburg.Magistrate.Weddings@nccourts.org. 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. Court staff and the Sheriff's Office do not call or email citizens requesting Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, money, prepaid debit card numbers, or any other sensitive financial information. The Clerk of Court will issue payment by check by U.S. mail a few days after your jury service concludes. Jury Duty 101 is a free public resource site, and is not affiliated with the United States government or any Government agency. Trial jurors get $12 for their initial day of service and $20 for each additional day. Jurors serving on a grand jury receive $20 a day. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. 2023 Jury Duty 101. A mental health provider has given you a letter requesting . Active duty military personnel can be excused by sending in their summons with valid proof of their military orders. Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or DefermentJury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will be provided with the trial date, and must return to serve on the jury for the duration of the trial and deliberations. When filing a long-term excuse request, the juror writes a letter of explanation to the jury clerk, who consults with the judge to give the juror their decision. 9-6(b). Proceed across the atrium to the public elevators and take the elevator to Level 5. Jurors reporting for jury duty or jury selection in the state of North Carolina are expected to dress professionally, in a manner appropriate for a court room. Juror Handbook Jurors cannot: It is not wise for a person who receives a jury summons to ignore it and not show up. Under North Carolina law, jury duty is a civic requirement for citizens who meet the courts eligibility requirements. There may be various reasons why jurors feel confused or upset after a trial. [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. Usage is subject to our Terms and Privacy Policy. If you are seeking excuse from a summons , you will be notified by e -mail or via the U.S. Layered clothing is recommended since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. In an emergency, jurors may be contacted through the clerk of court's office, or at an emergency number given to them when they arrive at the courthouse. Notice of Excuse. Federal jurors are paid $50 per day. North Carolina law prohibits employers from firing or demoting an employee because they serve as a juror. Mail or fax requests can be submitted to: Chief District Court Judge of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation . For the status of your application, you can: check online, or. 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. Individuals must meet certain requirements for jury duty. You may email the DAC directly by emailing. [3] The alphabetized list must be kept under lock and key, but it shall be made available for public inspection during regular office hours. [1] Voir dire has aims to get potential jurors speaking about themselves and to elicit truthful and complete answers from potential jurors. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. In addition, people caring for children under 10 or the elderly may . News Find information, training, and resources. Jury service operates on the one-day / one-trial system. Age 72 (North Carolina and Wyoming) Age 75 (Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) . Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Jurors are directed to follow the instructions on the back of the jury summons as to the time and place to report for jury service. Yes. 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. Like any jury duty commitment in the state of North Carolina, attendance when called for grand jury duty is mandatory, and ignoring a summons for grand jury service or skipping sessions could lead to potential legal problems. [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. We have set up a jury information line at 1-800-246-7607 that provides detailed information on the types (medical, age, residence, etc.) Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day during the trial. Public safety officers should simply send a letter identifying your position and department. Court staff will give you additional information. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, their jury service will be complete after that one day. Persons 65 years of age or older who wish to be excused. Postal Service of the Court's decision. When jurors report to the courthouse, they will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. North Carolina does not provide an automatic exemption from jury service because of a person's profession or age. Jurors serving on a grand jury receive $20 a day. [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. Until you have received a response from the District Court Judges Office, you are still required to appear at the county courthouse for jury duty on the specified summons date if your juror number is called. If not selected again, those jurors will be allowed to go home at the end of the day, having completed their jury service. Any person summoned as a juror who is age 72 or older may establish exemption from jury duty without appearing in person by providing the ground or reason for their exemption; and forwarding to the Chief District Court Judge at least 5 working days before the date summoned to appear. [3] If the chief district court judge or the judge or trial court administrator (designated by G.S. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day while the trial is in progress. When reporting to the courthouse, the potential juror will likely watch an orientation video. North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. As a . If you have instructions to call ahead attached to your summons, please follow the instructions on the automated system. Find out what to expect when you arrive, how to conduct yourself, and what you need to do when you serve as a juror. Deferral/Excusal: To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below, Mail, OR Fax. It is very rare for a jury to be sequestered most people go home at the end of each day. Those who need to be excused for a longer term of more than three months will need the approval of a judge. 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. Who is eligible to serve as a juror in North Carolina courts? You should expect that you will be allowed to go home at the end of each court day. You may request to be permanently excused or temporarily excused for a specific portion of a six week jury term. You may be selected to serve as a juror on a criminal case or a civil case. Your request must be received no later than ten (10) days prior to your service date. [3] This information will be kept for two years, and those individuals will be exempt from jury service for two years from the date on which they were discharged from their prior service. Send or receive digital communication about the case. [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. 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. Will I be locked up in a hotel during the trial? The court could hold you in contempt and / or impose a $50 fine for each time you fail to appear. Generally, lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 1:55 p.m., unless you are otherwise instructed by the Jury Coordinator or Judge. in Communications and English from Niagara University. She holds a B.A. The court may request additional medical documentation supporting their claim. Parking Information: Free parking is available at the Liberty Plaza parking deck. These citizens can request a permanent disqualification from jury selection. Petit jurors decide either civil or criminal cases. Notify your employer as soon as you receive a jury summons and check with your employer regarding the payment policy for jury service. You Already Served. Juror Support Program Jury selection is the procedure whereby persons from . AO 223. If scheduled to report, all jurors report to the Jury Assembly Room on the third floor of the Wake County Justice Center. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your appearance date. Talk about the case to anyone while serving as a juror. Occasionally, a grand jury may extend to 18 months of service. If a meeting is canceled, the court will send the jurors a notice of that cancellation. A person who wishes to seek an exemption must do so at least five days before theyre scheduled to appear by writing their excuse on the back of the summons and including documents supporting their reason. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. [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. You can also apply to be excused the day you report to court for jury service. Winston-Salem, NC 27120 Applications for excuse from jury service must be made by submitting a written request to the Chief District Court Judge no later than 10 days before the first day of service. A juror who is lawfully notified to attend court is subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 if that juror either: fails to attend court in obedience to the notice without a reasonable excuse; or. 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. Please also bring a pen or pencil. 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. Finally as a reminder, before any request for excuse, deferral, postponement, disqualification or exemption can be considered, you must have either completed the juror information questionnaire on line at ejuror as instructed on the back of the summons OR complete and return the bottom portion of the jury summons in the business reply mail . (Requirements and instructions are listed below. Penalties for Not Serving Jury Duty in North Carolina, The Rights of Convicted Felons in North Carolina, How to Write Request Letters for Jury Duty, NC Courts: Communication Rules for Jurors. The juror will then be required to appear before the U.S. Magistrate Judge to explain why the court should not hold them in contempt. Jury Duty Excuse letter is the reason for giving your excuses in front of local or Federal courts. Serving. A juror in North Carolina is paid for the time they serve jury duty: Trial jurors receive $12 for their first day and $20 for each additional day. Names are drawn at random from this list. ), Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or Deferment. [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). Each court jurisdiction has different qualifications, but in general, persons older than 70 are exempt from serving jury duty. If you lose your jury summons, contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in your county as soon as possible to obtain reporting information. Copies of leases, utility bills, etc. You have a jury duty excuse letter due to a necessary medical procedure. Those serving more than five days get $40 a day. Bring your parking deck ticket for validation by a Jury Coordinator. 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. How Are Potential Jurors Chosen in North Carolina? Volunteer Safety Personnel will be excused upon submission of a written individual request and supporting documentation. [3] The clerk of court may elect to store an electronic copy of the alphabetized list for the county. If you have trouble with the video, watch the orientation video on YouTube. Those who are seated must serve as jurors until the completion of the trial. Individuals at higher risk for complications should they contract the Coronavirus due to underlying conditions may seek to be excused from jury service or have their service deferred with documentation from their medical provider. In North Carolina, as in all states, jury duty is a civic requirement for those who meet the courts requirement of eligibility. Common reasons senior citizens may be able to . G.S.9-6.1 Again, note that laws regarding jury duty and applicable exemptions can vary by state. Find information about jury service in this county. Learn more about how to avoid jury duty scams. Jury duty is a civic responsibility that you do not get paid to attend. Jurors who serve more than five days receive $40 a day. (Please note: Jurors are not allowed into the building until 8:00 a.m.). Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. Court staff will also give jurors additional information. For example, many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording and / or images. Grand jurors investigate accusations of crimes committed against the District of Columbia. Disabled jurors with a disability that interferes with their capacity to serve must give an explanation of their condition on the summons. Age: Individuals 70 years of age or older who do not wish to serve as a juror, should indicate their date of birth in a letter or on the, Hardship requests based on employment, transportation, distance to the courthouse, vacations, school schedules, or childcare are generally not considered valid grounds for excuse from jury duty. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording. [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. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. You should dress comfortably, but not too casually. [3] The number of names on this randomized list must be equal to the number of jurors required for the scheduled session or sessions. PO Box 351 If you would like to request a temporary excuse, please wait until you have received a summons, not a questionnaire. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over at the end of the day. PO Box 20099 Who may serve as a juror? 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. Just because you qualify to be a juror and are summoned for jury selection, doesn't mean that you will be selected to be a juror on a case. Eastern District of North Carolina. [3] The statement must be filed with the chief district court judge of that district or the district court judge or trial court administrator who is designated by the chief district court judge pursuant to G.S. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. While there are a number of ways to be legally excused from jury duty in North Carolina, failing to appear when summoned for jury selection or jury duty without an excuse is illegal, and can result in legal repercussions. Face masks are available at the check in desk in the Jury Assembly Suite. North Carolina has a list of valid excuses a juror can use to be excused from jury duty. If a juror has a family emergency while serving, they can be reached through court staff, who will see that they get the message. If selected to serve on a trial that is completed before the end of the day, those jurors will return to the jury assembly area and may then be selected for service on another case. If your ability to function in any area(s) of your life is being affected, it may be an indication that you need additional support following your role as a juror. There is a newer version of the North Carolina General Statutes . 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. 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. Any privileged medical information or protected health information described in this section shall be confidential. You may request a reasonable accommodation: Your jury summons provides the date, time, and place to report for jury duty. Missing jury service can result in penalties, including: Every two years, a county Jury Commission compiles a list of residents who are registered voters or licensed drivers in North Carolina. North Carolina Jury Duty Summons Frequency: A juror will be exempt for a period of 2 years from the date on which they were discharged from their prior service. If your name is randomly selected for the jury pool through the process described above, you receive a jury summons in the mail instructing you to appear for jury selection on a pre-set day. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror. Jurors will be instructed as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time. 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 . This is not true for all states, and there are other exemptions to consider. 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. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, shorts, or shirts with offensive wording. Receive or send digital communication regarding the case while serving as a juror. In smaller counties, your jury summons may tell you whether you are summoned for a criminal or civil session of court. The Judicial Branch is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to benefit from all court services, programs, and activities. 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; Be 18 or older. 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. If you serve more than five days, you will receive $40 per day. Parking Information: Free parking is available at the Liberty Plaza parking deck. In the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, the wearing of face masks/coverings is currently optional, unless you have been exposed to COVID-19. Directions to restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse are posted in the Jury Assembly Room. The court staff will make certain that you get the message. 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. Seek outside information about the case while theyre serving on the jury. Most cases last 3-5 days. Dress for court in a manner that maintains the dignity of the court. Bring a book, crossword puzzles, or other materials to occupy your time. [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. The night before their service date, jurors should call the jury information line at (919) 792-4040 and select option one (1). The average trial length of service varies from two days or longer until released by the court. Jurors will take an oath before serving on a jury and will be given a badge to wear until the court releases them. Ranking low when compared to other states, North Carolina pays jurors $12 per day in state court. Therefore, the prospective juror should notify their employer as soon as they receive the summons to find out about their employers payment policy for jury duty. Mentally and physically competent. [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. We value your feedback! Disability: A person who has a physical or mental impairment can avoid jury service. How can jurors make comments regarding jury service? To access the Lactation Room, please see one of the Jury Coordinators. Go through the security checkpoint. This will allow sufficient time to make arrangements to accommodate your request. [3] Once this list is created, the commission must merge the names from each source used and randomly select the desired number of names for the master jury list.