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. 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. All requests must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your jury service date. 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. 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. Jurors will be acting as part of the court while serving, so dress appropriately. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. Juror Information - Exemptions. Those serving on a grand jury get $20 a 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). The Jury Management Office hopes the interactive website is user-friendly and is an efficient way to obtain important information about your jury service. Postal Service of the Court's decision. 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. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day during the trial. When you report to the courthouse, you may be required to watch a juror orientation video. To be eligible to serve as a juror you must meet the following qualifications: What if I can't serve on the date I have been told to report to the courthouse? You have a permanent medical exemption from jury duty due to advanced age or a disability. This page explains the excuse request process only. In addition, a caf is located on the first floor of the Wake County Justice Center and the 6th floor of the Wake County Courthouse. Fax: (919) 792-4801, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. Find information about jury service in this county. There is a newer version of the North Carolina General Statutes . Then all jurors present will take an oath as jurors and be given a red juror badge to wear until they are released from jury duty by the judge. As a juror, you are expected to maintain a professional and respectable appearance while performing your duties. Why are some jurors dismissed and not allowed to sit for a trial? Employers in North Carolina are also forbidden from penalizing employees who miss work for jury duty. Excuses from jury service will be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship or because requiring service would be contrary to public welfare, health, or safety. North Carolina has a list of valid excuses a juror can use to be excused from jury duty. [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. Court staff will give you additional information. Failure to comply with this summons is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. You may request a reasonable accommodation: Your jury summons provides the date, time, and place to report for jury duty. Notice of Excuse. All rights reserved. [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. Upon request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted. From the age of 65 to 80, depending on where you live, you may be able to excuse yourself. Furthermore, employers cannot penalize individuals for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote a worker for time spent on a jury. Some will be sent home that day, while others will be seated on a jury panel. The night before their service date, jurors should call the jury information line at (919) 792-4040 and select option one (1). 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. If a prospective juror fails to appear or ignores a summons, they may be found in contempt of court and fined up to $50. [3] In addition, those who have not been convicted of a felony or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony (or if convicted of a felony or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony have had their citizenship restored pursuant to law), and who have not been adjudged non compos mentis. If you are seated on a trial and serve for more than 5 days, you will be paid $40 for every day after those first 5 days. Children are not allowed in the Jury Assembly Room. Find information, training, and resources. Let us know in a single click. 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. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. All jurors will take an oath. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of ten (10) days prior to your appearance date. Drink and snack machines are located in the Jury Assembly Room. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror. We have set up a jury information line at 1-800-246-7607 that provides detailed information on the types (medical, age, residence, etc.) Read your summons for specific instructions, or view your county's jury service page. 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. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of a person currently infected with the virus for at least 15 minutes total during a 24-hour period. [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. A jury summons is an official court summons. The court staff will make certain that you get the message. 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. 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. Request for Jury Service Excuse or Deferral. New Mexico has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. In Mecklenburg County, citizens who are summoned for jury service may access the interactive juror website at eresponse.mecknc.gov. Also, you might want to wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. Those serving more than five days get $40 a day. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. Jury Forms. Proceed across the atrium to the public elevators and take the elevator to Level 5. Conclusion. Send or receive digital communication about the case. Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. The commissions then draw names at random to send a summons to prospective jurors via U.S. mail. Those who are seated must serve as jurors until the completion of the 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. North Carolina does not provide an automatic exemption from jury service because of a person's profession or age. Please listen to their instructions carefully. Federal jurors are paid $50 per day. You also must include the bottom portion of your summons with your excuse request. Your request must be received no later than ten (10) days prior to your service date. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the courthouse. A state grand jury is enlisted by a superior court for twelve months; nine jurors are replaced in six-month increments. Most jurors only serve for one or two days, however, if you are seated for a trial, you must serve until the trial ends. . Exemptions: You may be exempt from jury service if you are employed on a full time basis as an elected public official, are a member of any governmental police or regular fire departmentor a member in active service of the armed forces of the United States. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day while the trial is in progress. PO Box 20099 A refrigerator and microwave are located in the Jury Assembly Room for your convenience. [3], The process for preparing the master jury list must be recorded and approved by the commission, and these documents must be made available to the public for inspection in the office of the clerk of court. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. There may be various reasons why jurors feel confused or upset after a trial. Winston-Salem, NC 27120 However, if a person is not selected for a trial, their jury service will be complete after that one day. Seated jurors take an oath and will be given a badge that theyll wear until the judge releases them. [3] However, public access to juror information shall be limited to the alphabetized list of the names with no access to the addresses, which are confidential and not subject to discloser without an order of the court. 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. [3], It is possible for a person to request either a temporary or permanent exemption (under G.S. 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. 2023 Jury Duty 101. Most courthouses suggest dress ranging from business casual to business attire. Volunteer Safety Personnel will be excused upon submission of a written individual request and supporting documentation. 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. Civil contempt or misdemeanor conviction on the jurors record. Jurors will be instructed as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time. Summons to Appear to Complete Juror Qualification Form. The court may also impose a $50 fine for each day the prospective juror fails to appear. Jurors may bring a book or other reading materials, needlework, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy their time. Federal grand juries also convene in North Carolina. Directions to restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse are posted in the Jury Assembly Room. Winston-Salem, NC 27120-0099. Court staff will make certain that you receive any emergency messages. Receive or send digital communication regarding the case while serving as a juror. North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. Protective Measures: However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over at the end of the day. 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. If you have instructions to call ahead attached to your summons, please follow the instructions on the automated system. It is extremely rare for a jury to be sequestered or kept in a hotel during a trial. North Carolina celebrates jurors all year and a special Juror Appreciation Month in July. The judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror. Grand jurors receive $20 per day. You have a jury duty excuse letter from a doctor. Jurors should plan to be present at least until 5:00 p.m. for each day that they are in service. State law does not require that an employee receive full wages while serving. In larger counties, several court sessions are held at the same time, so you may hear either criminal or civil matters. These are legal reasons for getting out of jury duty in the state of Texas: Age: Texas allows people over the age of 70 to avoid jury service. When you report to the courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. If you have trouble with the video, watch the orientation video on YouTube. Notify your employer as soon as you receive a jury summons and check with your employer regarding the payment policy for jury service. In North Carolina, jurors meet up to three days per month. 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] The jury commission may also use names from other lists as long as those lists are deemed reliable by that commission. However, not everyone can or will serve on a jury some people dont meet the requirements, and others may be exempt. AO 229S. If you want to file a jury duty excuse request but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in three easy steps: Search Jury Duty Excuse on DoNotPay, and enter your jury duty summons information, including the assigned date, court name, juror number, and more. While efforts will be made by the court to reduce delays in trial starts and to avoid long waiting periods for you, some waiting time should be anticipated while jurors are chosen to sit on a jury. They must: Those who wish to be deferred, exempted or excused from serving on a jury in North Carolina can file a statement on the back of the summons at least five business days prior to their scheduled appearance at the courthouse. of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation . The Juror Selection Process, or "Voir Dire". 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. If sent to a courtroom or selected to sit on a trial, jurors will serve until released by the judge. If you have instructions to call ahead attached to your summons, please follow the instructions on the automated system. Access to public records is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment only. If you would like to request a temporary excuse, please wait until you have received a summons, not a questionnaire. G.S.9-6.1 Under North Carolina law, jury duty is a civic requirement for citizens who meet the courts eligibility requirements. 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. ATTN: Jury Service To serve as a Massachusetts juror, you must: Be a citizen of the United States. In North Carolina, as in all states, jury duty is a civic requirement for those who meet the courts requirement of eligibility. Jury service in this county operates on the one-day / one-trial system. 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;