Send or receive digital communication about the case. Jury information can be obtained by calling the Interactive Voice Response System at (704) 686-0195. Requests for any reason should be made as soon as possible, and in any event, at least five days before the reporting date. You may request a reasonable accommodation: Your jury summons provides the date, time, and place to report for jury duty. [3] The jury commission shall continue to make decisions as to mental or physical competency of prospective jurors. Individuals must meet certain requirements for jury duty. In Mecklenburg County, citizens who are summoned for jury service may access the interactive juror website at eresponse.mecknc.gov. 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 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. At least eighteen years of age; having been convicted of a felony, had their civil rights restored . of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation that is required. [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. These nine people join nine other people already serving on the grand jury for the past for six months. Find local administrative orders and rules, Administrative Order In Re: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Masks In The Forsyth County Hall of Justice, Legal Notices, Disclaimers and Terms of Use, You must be a citizen and resident of Forsyth County, North Carolina, You must be physically and mentally competent, You must be able to understand the English language, You must not have been convicted of a felony or pled no contest to a felony unless you have had your citizenship restored pursuant by law, You must not have been adjudged incompetent, You must not have served on a jury within the last 2 years or served a full term as a grand juror within the last 6 years, 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 Forsyth County, North Carolina Resident, Students enrolled full time in a learning institution, Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored. 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 may bring a book or other reading materials, needlework, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy their time. Check in with the jury staff when you arrive. Remember you will be acting as part of the court while serving as jurors, so dress appropriately. If you would like to request a temporary excuse, please wait until you have received a summons, not a questionnaire. Procedures to request an excuse or deferral vary from county to county. Hats should never be worn in a courtroom, and you should avoid wearing shorts, t-shirts, tanktops, or anything printed with logos or slogans. 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. Juror Information - Exemptions. If sent to a courtroom or selected to sit on a trial, jurors will serve until released by the judge. 2021 2020 2019 2018 2016 Other previous versions. The judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror. Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. Court staff will make certain that you receive any emergency messages. AO 229S. Seated jurors take an oath and will be given a badge that theyll wear until the judge releases them. Any privileged medical information or protected health information described in this section shall be confidential. The summons provides the location of the court and the time and date for reporting. A juror in North Carolina is paid for the time they serve jury duty: Potential jurors stay in a courthouse waiting area during jury selection on their first day. Read more in the Employers' Guide to Jury Service. [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 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. Senior Jury Duty Exemption. Reasons for Being Excused from Jury Duty in North Carolina, The Rights of Convicted Felons in North Carolina, Jury Duty 101: North Carolina North Carolina - List of Jury Duty Excuses, NC Prosecutors Resource Online: 106.Grand Jury Proceedings. Speak and understand English well enough to be able to participate in a trial. 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. Dress comfortably, but not too casually. Petit jurors decide either civil or criminal cases. People who get a summons for jury duty in North Carolina must report to the court. 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. [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. In the event of inclement weather, jurors should tune to their local television or radio station, visit the website at eresponse.mecknc.gov, or call the Jury Information Line at 1-877-649-7133 for reporting instructions and possible court closings. Jurors should dress professionally and comfortably, but not too casually. are not considered proof of permanent residence. Do I have to respond to the jury summons? [3] Anyone who does not qualify under these terms are subject to challenge for cause. 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. Grand jurors receive $20 per day. There are valid excuses for not attending jury duty in the state of North Carolina, including: An excuse from jury duty is granted only if the individuals service is contrary to the public welfare, health or safety, or would cause compelling personal hardship of the juror. Disability: A person who has a physical or mental impairment can avoid jury service. [1] Voir dire has aims to get potential jurors speaking about themselves and to elicit truthful and complete answers from potential jurors. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. The commission then draws prospective jurors names randomly and sends them a summons via U.S. mail. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Full-time students can seek an exemption from jury duty by showing supporting documentation of their enrollment. Jurors will be instructed as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time. Notice of Excuse. Until you have received a response from the District Court Judge's Office, you are still . Additionally, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are readily available throughout the suite, and all seating and other high-touch areas are disinfected daily. Go through the security checkpoint. Jury Forms. Proceed across the atrium to the public elevators and take the elevator to Level 5. For men, this means slacks or khakis and a polo or button-down shirt, potentially with a tie or suit jacket. However, not everyone can or will serve on a jury some people dont meet the requirements, and others may be exempt. While efforts will be made to reduce delays and to avoid long waiting periods, some waiting time should be anticipated. Eastern District of North Carolina. *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. Layered clothing is recommended since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. Each court jurisdiction has different qualifications, but in general, persons older than 70 are exempt from serving jury duty. Electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and iPads/tablets, are allowed in the courthouse. 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. A request to be excused or deferred from jury service is printed on the back of your summons. Notify your employer as soon as you receive a jury summons and check with your employer regarding the payment policy for jury service. Also, you might want to wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. Electronic Devices / Internet Access Their excuse from jury duty is then at the discretion of the court. You should mail this form as soon as possible to U.S. District Court, 324 W. Market St., Greensboro, N.C., 27401 Attn: Jury. In many cases, they dont get picked and, after just one day, theyve fulfilled their civic obligation. We have set up a jury information line at 1-800-246-7607 that provides detailed information on the types (medical, age, residence, etc.) Please follow the parking instructions carefully. Mentally and physically competent. Who is eligible to serve as a juror in North Carolina courts? After parking, use the crosswalks to cross over to the Mecklenburg County Courthouse entrance at the corner of 4th and McDowell Streets. To serve as a Massachusetts juror, you must: Be a citizen of the United States. 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. IMPORTANT CDC: Prospective jurors summoned for jury duty are being informed via the jury information line that if they fall into a high-risk category, they should not report for jury duty. Should I bring anything with me to the Courthouse? The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court's Office will be open to the public between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Persons 65 years of age or older who wish to be excused. 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. 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. [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 service in this county operates on the one-day / one-trial system. 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. 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). Jurors are expected to be available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the length of the trial they have been selected for. The Judicial Branch is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to benefit from all court services, programs, and activities. 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. North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. Federal jurors are paid $50 per day. There are some acceptable reasons an individual can be excused from jury duty, but they must make a request with the clerk of the superior court office or the office of the chief district court judge where they will serve. [3] This process may be carried out using electronic data processing equipment in the counties that have the necessary equipment to do so. Bring a book, crossword puzzles, or other materials to occupy your time. 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. COVID-19 SCREENING AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES. [3] The alphabetized list must be kept under lock and key, but it shall be made available for public inspection during regular office hours. Trial jurors receive $12 for their first day and $20 for each additional day. Civil contempt or misdemeanor conviction on the jurors record. 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. In smaller counties, your jury summons may tell you whether you are summoned for a criminal or civil session of court. 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. Volunteer Safety Personnel will be excused upon submission of a written individual request and supporting documentation. You can also be excused if you don't meet the basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in MA . [1] North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. The court may request a physician's letter supporting their claim. If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19, regardless of whether you have been vaccinated, follow the instructions from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure everyone's safety: Please visit Mecklenburg County Public Healths COVID-19 quarantine and isolation information or call the Public Health hotline at 980-314-9400 for more information on what to do if you are exposed to COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, or have symptoms of COVID-19. Because jurors will sit on wooden benches it is suggested that you bring a pillow or seat cushion with you for your comfort. [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. Full-Time Student. 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 . Some will be sent home that day, while others will be seated on a jury panel. As jury selection is made, potential jurors will stay in a courthouse waiting area on their first day. 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. [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. Find information about jury service in this county. Jury Duty Excuse letter is the reason for giving your excuses in front of local or Federal courts. 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. Trial jurors receive $12 for the first day of service and $20 for each day thereafter. Wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably. Juror Handbook 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. Please also bring a pen or pencil. Grand jurors investigate accusations of crimes committed against the District of Columbia. Mail or fax requests can be submitted to: Chief District Court Judge Drink and snack machines are located in the Jury Assembly Room. In the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, the wearing of face masks/coverings is currently optional, unless you have been exposed to COVID-19. Nursing Mothers Food and Beverages A company cannot penalize a worker for sitting on a grand jury. . Wireless Internet access is available throughout the courthouse. call the Jury Information Line on 1300 722 574. Receiving a Jury Duty Summons in North Carolina. Who may serve 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. From the age of 65 to 80, depending on where you live, you may be able to excuse yourself.