[3] In order to ensure random selection of names from the master list, the list is to be sorted into random order before the first panel is drawn, and after the first panel, names may be selected sequentially from the randomized list without having to be further randomized. Bring your parking deck ticket for validation by a Jury Coordinator. Furthermore, employers cannot penalize individuals for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote a worker for time spent on a jury. [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. The Jury Management Office hopes the interactive website is user-friendly and is an efficient way to obtain important information about your jury service. Juror Support Program [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. View our newest version here. If you serve more than five days, you will receive $40 per day. Work is not a valid reason for skipping jury duty in North Carolina. Failing to report to grand jury service can lead the U.S. While efforts will be made to reduce delays and to avoid long waiting periods, some waiting time should be anticipated. Jurors serve on a petit or grand jury, as indicated on the summons. 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. 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. Panel selections can often last more than one day. A jury summons is an official court summons. of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation that is required. How Much Does Jury Duty Pay in NC? A mental health provider has given you a letter requesting . [3] Anyone who does not qualify under these terms are subject to challenge for cause. Requests sent by MAIL or FAX must include the completed bottom portion of summons and supporting documentation (instructions are included on the summons document). Resident of the county of the summons' issuance. Until you have received a response from the District Court Judge's Office, you are still . Any privileged medical information or protected health information described in this section shall be confidential. In North Carolina, as in all states, jury duty is a civic requirement for those who meet the courts requirement of eligibility. of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation . (Requirements and instructions are listed below.). Juror Handbook This will allow sufficient time to make arrangements to accommodate your request. [3] The alphabetized list must be kept under lock and key, but it shall be made available for public inspection during regular office hours. Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. A felony conviction unless they have restored their citizenship rights. COVID-19 SCREENING AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES. Jurors are to appear in Room 5450 of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on the date they are summoned. Trial jurors get $12 for their initial day of service and $20 for each additional day. 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. It is your responsibility to monitor your mail for a CONFIRMATION letter from the District Court Judges Office to determine if your request has been approved or denied. Individuals on active military duty may request a military exemption by mailing their summons with their reason for not attending to the court with proof of their military orders. If scheduled to report, all jurors report to the Jury Assembly Room on the third floor of the Wake County Justice Center. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. Jury information can be obtained by calling the Interactive Voice Response System at (704) 686-0195. A trial could last two days or several weeks, depending on the case. Fax: (336) 779-6301, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. Your request CANNOT be handled by telephone. 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. Served on a grand jury in the previous six years. Upon request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted. 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. Bring reading materials to occupy your time. Look for information about the case from an outside source while serving as a juror. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror. 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. Jury Duty Excuse letter is the reason for giving your excuses in front of local or Federal courts. You also must include the bottom portion of your summons with your excuse request. There is a newer version of the North Carolina General Statutes . 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. You will be acting as part of the court while serving as a juror, so dress appropriately. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day while the trial is in progress. As a juror, you are expected to maintain a professional and respectable appearance while performing your duties. For women, this means a professional-looking pair of pants or a skirt, cardigan, sweater, twinset, or shirt. In that instance, half of the jurors will be replaced in three-month increments. Find out what to expect when you arrive, how to conduct yourself, and what you need to do when you serve as a juror. Is liable for damages for the workers loss of wages and other benefits. Jurors may bring a book or other reading materials, needlework, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy their time. Their exemption from jury duty is then at the discretion of the . [1] Voir dire has aims to get potential jurors speaking about themselves and to elicit truthful and complete answers from potential jurors. The lunch break is normally held between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. [3], It is possible for a person to request either a temporary or permanent exemption (under G.S. The court may request additional medical documentation supporting their claim. 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. Directions to restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse are posted in the Jury Assembly Room. Access to public records is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Those who are seated must serve as jurors until the completion of the trial. 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. In many cases, they dont get picked and, after just one day, theyve fulfilled their civic obligation. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. . Raleigh, NC 27602 Mecklenburg's Juror Handbook: A Guide for Potential Jurors explains the trial process and the importance of the juror's role in the proceedings. Once your service is complete, you won't be summoned for jury duty again until North Carolina re-adds you to the potential juror pool. Additionally, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are readily available throughout the suite, and all seating and other high-touch areas are disinfected daily. Full-time students taking classes can be excused from jury duty if they show supporting documentation of their enrollment. Grand jurors receive $20 per day. See G.S.9-6.1. It's important to check each court's specific guidelines. 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. For general comments you may email nyjuror@nycourts.gov or call 1-800-NYJUROR [1-800-695-8767]. 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. Why are some jurors dismissed and not allowed to sit for a trial? Most courthouses suggest dress ranging from business casual to business attire. The potential juror must make their excuse request with the clerk of the superior court office or the office of the chief district court judge. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording. Hawaii and South Dakota begin exempting senior citizens from jury duty when they turn 80. Remember you will be acting as part of the court while serving as jurors, so dress appropriately. Most cases last 3-5 days. Jurors serving on a grand jury receive $20 a day. 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. Jury Forms. Trial jurors receive $12 for the first day of service and $20 for each day thereafter. 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. Disabled jurors with a disability that interferes with their capacity to serve must give an explanation of their condition on the summons. If a meeting is canceled, the court will send the jurors a notice of that cancellation. Receiving a summons isnt a guarantee that the person will actually serve on a jury. In North Carolina, jurors meet up to three days per month. Occasionally, a grand jury may extend to 18 months of service. call the Jury Information Line on 1300 722 574. The first stage in jury selection is summoning a pool of potential jurors from the list of local citizens eligible to serve on a jury in North Carolina, as described above. PO Box 20099 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. Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? All rights reserved. Bring a book, crossword puzzles, or other materials to occupy your time. Protective Measures: 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. The summons provides the location of the court and the time and date for reporting. United States District Court. Please listen to their instructions carefully. 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. [3], Any person summoned as a juror 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 on the ground of the request with the chief district court judge pursuant to G.S. Those serving more than five days get $40 a day. North Carolina has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. 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. 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. She holds a B.A. The jurors that pass this first hurdle are asked if serving on the jury will cause them any hardships, and lawyers from both sides question potential jurors to gauge their preexisting knowledge of the case and their potential bias. [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. Elected public officials should submit proof of office documentation. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day during the trial. If they do not, the court could hold them in contempt for ignoring the summons. Fax: (919) 792-4801, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested form below, or by mail or fax. We value your feedback! The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of ten (10) days prior to your appearance date. 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. Deferral/Excusal: To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below, Mail, OR Fax. You may email the DAC directly by emailing. Proceed across the atrium to the public elevators and take the elevator to Level 5. . Civil contempt or misdemeanor conviction on the jurors record. From the age of 65 to 80, depending on where you live, you may be able to excuse yourself. 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. 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. You may have your provider use our. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. Residency: If you reside outside of the twenty four counties of the Middle District, you must submit an excuse request and a copy of a government issued photo identification such as a drivers license, passport or state issued identification card as proof of permanent residence. 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. Are you isolating because you tested positive for COVID-19 or are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results? *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. Find information, training, and resources. On-Site Child Care 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. Can my employer fire me if I serve as a juror? Rules for jurors regarding mobile devices, electronic communication, internet use, and social media. [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. Generally, you must contact the clerk of superior court office or the chief district court judges office if you want to be excused or defer your jury service. 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. Jurors having served a full term on a grand jury shall be exempt for 6 years from the date they were discharged from prior service. A federal grand jury does not determine a partys guilt or innocence; it only concludes whether or not there is sufficient evidence to reasonably believe that the party should be charged with a crime. A decision regarding your request will be returned via mail or email. 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; Winston-Salem, NC 27120-0099. Jury Duty 101 is a free public resource site, and is not affiliated with the United States government or any Government agency. Please also bring a pen or pencil. ATTN: Jury Service In the American court system, criminal defendants are guaranteed the right to trial by a "jury of their peers". Jury duty is a civic responsibility that you do not get paid to attend. When you report to the courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. [3] This includes the substitution of a temporary exemption for a requested permanent exemption. 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. [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. 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. Once a trial begins, the presiding judge will instruct jurors on their duties. The judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror. New Mexico has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. Following the trial, most jurors are relieved to return to their workplace or home after their time on the jury. 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. 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. in Communications and English from Niagara University. 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 seven days prior to your service date. 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. Find information, training, and resources. AO 223. Jury service operates on the one-day / one-trial system. [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). Grand jurors serve for a total of 27 workdays. . Usage is subject to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Dress for court in a manner that maintains the dignity of the court. Parking Information: Free parking is available at the Liberty Plaza parking deck. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. North Carolina has a list of valid excuses a juror can use to be excused from jury duty. Jurors who serve more than five days receive $40 a day. [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. Nursing Mothers Layered clothing is recommended since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your appearance date. Send or receive digital communication about the case. If you are seeking excuse from a summons , you will be notified by e -mail or via the U.S. In larger counties, several court sessions are held at the same time, so you may hear either criminal or civil matters. Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. * A medical provider note is not necessary if the juror is seeking to be excused because they are age 72 or over. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. Their excuse from jury duty is then at the discretion of the court. The Clerk of Superior Court will mail you a check for the appropriate amount. 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. 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. Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. 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. [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. 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. If sent to a courtroom or selected to sit on a trial, jurors will serve until released by the judge. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over at the end of the day. If you wish to be deferred from jury service or feel that you do not qualify, please refer to theDeferraland Disqualification pages. Below are a few of the reasons why you might be excused from jury duty. . Requests sent by MAIL or FAX must include the completed bottom portion of summons and supporting documentation (instructions are included on the summons document). Be a resident of or live in Massachusetts for more than 50% of the year. 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. ATTN: Jury Service Face Covering Mandate and Other COVID-19 Protocols Lifted as 26th Judicial District (Mecklenburg County) Expands Court Operations, Weddings will be conducted by appointment only, Mecklenburg.Magistrate.Weddings@nccourts.org, Mecklenburg County Juror Orientation video, North Carolina Judicial Branch You, the Jurorvideo, jurymanagementoffice@mecklenburgcountync.gov, COVID-19 quarantine and isolation information, Juror Handbook: A Guide for Potential Jurors, Legal Notices, Disclaimers and Terms of Use, To access Criminal files by appointment, email, To access Civil files by appointment, email, To access Estate files by appointment, go to the. Obtain current reporting status or status of a request for deferral or excusal (submitted via website), Request a deferral, excusal, or disqualification, Print Employer Letter or Jury Service Verification Certificate, after jury service concludes. Larry King's Clubhouse: Children's Play & Care Center provides free childcare services to jurors and may be contacted at (704) 686-0285. Speak and understand English well enough to be able to participate in a trial. [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. 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. Receive or send digital communication regarding the case while serving as a juror. Electronic Devices / Internet Access It is extremely rare for a jury to be sequestered or kept in a hotel during a trial. Those serving on a grand jury get $20 a day. Residents at least 72 years old may request an age exemption from jury duty by mailing their summons with their reason to the court with supporting age documentation. The court may request a physician's letter supporting their claim. 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. If you would like to request a temporary excuse, please wait until you have received a summons, not a questionnaire. For a small number of jurors, though, this may be more challenging than expected. However, these reasons may be considered for a. Will be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation. Petit jurors decide either civil or criminal cases. Persons with legal custody and duty of care of a child under the age of seven and who cannot provide adequate childcare while serving as . 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 . However, if a person is not selected for a trial, their jury service will be complete after that one day. 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). You have a jury duty excuse letter due to a necessary medical procedure. Eastern District of North Carolina. Notice of Excuse. 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.