"Our justice system depends on you.
The right to trial by jury is the foundation
of our American justice system.
We, the people decide.
Report for jury service."
For more information, go to www.americanjuror.org
Juror Instructions
- No cell phones, pages or newspapers.
- Appropriate attire is required. (NO shorts, tank tops, etc.)
- The law provides that the court may not excuse any juror for economic reasons unless all parties of record are present and approve such excuse. The court adheres to a very strict excuse policy.
- Handicapped access to the Courthouse is located through the basement entrance, located on S.E. Ave. B (the southwestern corner of the Courthouse).
- All persons entering the building are subject to screening and search.
- To file a disqualification or exemption, complete the juror information card.
Juror Qualifications
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a citizen of the state and a resident of the county in which you are to serve as a juror.
- Be qualified under the Constitution and laws in the country in which you are to serve as a juror. (Note: you do not have to be registered to vote to be qualified.)
- Be of sound mind and good moral character.
- Be able to read and write the English language.
- Not have served as a juror for six (6) days during the preceding three (3) months in the county court, or during the preceding six (6) months in district court.
- Not have been convicted of a felon, and, not be under indictment or other legal accusation of a misdemeanor theft or any felony, and;
- Has not been convicted of theft. (Includes a check for which you have paid a court ordered fine.)
Juror Exemptions
- You are over 70 years of age.
- You have legal custody of a child or children younger than 12 years of age and service on the jury would require leaving the child or children without adequate supervision; (If you are employed outside the home, this would not apply.)
- You are a student at a public or private high school.
- You are enrolled and in actual attendance of an institution of higher education.
- You are an officer or an employee of the Senate; the House of Representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state government.
- You are the primary caretaker of a person who is an invalid unable to care for himself/herself (This exemption does not apply to health care workers).
- You are a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed to a location away from your home station and out of your county of residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How was I selected?
A: You were selected at random from a list of voter registrations and a list of driver registrations from the county in which you live.
Q: What are the different types of cases?
A: Criminal and Civil.
Q: Will I be paid for being a juror?
A: Yes. You will be paid a minimum of $10 for each day, if you are not chosen on a jury. You will be paid $40 for each day if you are chosen to be on a jury.
Q: Must my employer pay me while I am on jury duty?
A: Your employer is not required to pay you while on jury duty, however, employers are prohibited by law from firing an employee for serving as a juror.
Q: What if I have a special need or emergency?
A: After you have been selected as a juror on a trial panel, if you have a special need or an emergency, tell the bailiff.
Q: Where do I park?
A: You can park in any legal parking space (do not park in any reserved spaces) at or around the Gaines County Courthouse.