Electronic Devices
If you are selected to serve on a jury, electronic devices such as cell phones, cameras, laptop computers or any other similar technological device capable of making or transmitting images, text or data as well as audio and video recordings must, prior to the start of jury deliberations, be turned over to the courtroom deputy who will keep them while you deliberate.
Payment for Jury Service
You are entitled to a $15 per day payment from the state if you are:
- Not employed
- Regularly employed and your employer does not pay your wages while you’re on jury duty
- Retired
- Self Employed
Each juror who serves more than three (3) days will be paid $30 per day for the 4th day and for each day thereafter, regardless of your employer’s compensation policy.
Dress
Please dress in appropriate business or business casual attire. Bring a jacket or sweater due to building temperature variations.
Miscellaneous Information
Free wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) is available for those who bring wireless-enabled devices. See the information above regarding electronic devices.
Courthouse Security & Prohibited Items
When entering the courthouse, you will be required to go through security screening:
- Remove all items from your pockets (keys, coins, etc.) and put in a tray.
- Everything you bring into the courthouse must be put in a tray and screened – cell phones, laptops, books, magazines, etc.
- You will walk through a metal detector. If it beeps, security personnel will use a wand to determine the origin of the beep.
Items prohibited in the courthouse include, but are not limited to:
- Blades (Pocket Knives or Any Other Knives, Razors, Scissors, Shears, Hair Picks, Pins, Corkscrews, Box Cutters, Scrapers, Can Openers, Etc.)
- Chemicals (Mace, Pepper Spray, Hair Spray, Large Perfume Bottles, Anything Flammable, Etc.)
- Glass Containers (Glass Water Bottles, Glass Beverage Bottles, Glass Perfume Bottles, Glass Food Containers, Etc.)
- Guns (Stun, Real, Toy, Lighter, Etc.)
- Impact Weapons (Knuckles, Club, Hammer, Etc.)
- Other Potential Weapons (Files, Knitting Needles, Nail Clippers, Letter Openers, Nail Files, Tweezers, Silverware, Flashlights Longer Than 3 Inches, Screwdrivers, Hammers, Pliers and Other Tools)
- Restraining Devices (Straps, Chains)
Dining
Vending machines are available near the Jury Assembly Room, so remember to bring change. No refrigerator is provided in the juror office. There is a microwave provided in Jury Assembly. Jurors are welcome to bring snacks and/or meals.
Petit & Grand Juries
A petit jury will hear and decide civil and criminal cases. Civil cases are disputes between private citizens, corporations, governments, government agencies, or other organizations. Usually, the party who brings the suit is seeking money damages for an alleged wrong that has been done. The party who brings the suit is called the plaintiff, and the one being sued is called the defendant. Civil trials can involve small claims, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases.
Criminal cases are brought by the state against persons accused of committing a crime. In these cases, the state is the plaintiff, and the accused person is the defendant. Criminal trials can involve traffic, misdemeanor, felony, and capital (death penalty) cases.
A grand jury has broad powers to investigate a wide range of criminal offenses and to examine the performance of public officials and public institutions. Its deliberations are conducted in secret, in conjunction with the State Attorney or a designated assistant state attorney.
Important Things to Remember About Your Services
Jurors should observe the following general rules of conduct:
- Be on time and be prepared to stay until 5:00pm on your day of service. Make any arrangements necessary prior to reporting for duty
- Sit in the same seat in the jury box. This allows the clerk, judge, and lawyers to identify you more easily.
- Listen carefully. It is important that you hear every question asked and every answer given since your verdict will be based on the evidence given. If you do not understand any portion of the trial, you should ask the judge to explain.
- Do not talk about the case. You should not talk with anyone about the case. This includes the clerk, lawyers, judge, bailiff, and other jurors, unless you have retired to the jury room for deliberations. If anyone tries to talk to you about the case or attempts to influence you as a juror, you should report it to the judge immediately.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We are here to assist you in any way that we can.