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. Requests sent by MAIL or FAX must include the completed bottom portion of summons and supporting documentation (instructions are included on the summons document). In your state of California, the exemption age is 70. Jury service operates on the one-day / one-trial system. . How To Get Out of Jury Duty in NC. A mental health provider has given you a letter requesting . New Mexico has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. Jurors released from courtrooms must always report back to the Jury Assembly Room for further instructions. Fax: (919) 792-4801, The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail or fax option. 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. The court may request additional medical documentation supporting their claim. 2023 Jury Duty 101. 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. Those serving more than five days get $40 a day. Electronic Devices / Internet Access This may be mailed or faxed to: Chief District Court Judge 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. It is a notice sent to prospective jurors informing them that they have been picked for jury selection. 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. We read every comment! To access Criminal files by appointment, email Mecklenburg.Criminal@nccourts.org. Some will be sent home that day, while others will be seated on a jury panel. The Clerk of Superior Court will mail you a check for the appropriate amount. Applications for excuse from jury service must be made by submitting a written request to the Chief District Court Judge no later than 10 days before the first day of service. However, these reasons may be considered for a. [3] The persons who are summoned may serve as jurors in either the superior court or district court or both for the week specified, and they will be discharged at the end of the weekly session(s), unless they are involved with a trial of a case, in which case they will be discharged when the trial is completed..[3], According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all persons are qualified to serve as jurors and to be included on the master jury list who are citizens of the State and residents of the county. Also, you might want to wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket. Jurors will be instructed as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time. North Carolina law prohibits employers from firing or demoting an employee because they serve as a juror. Once a trial begins and you are sworn in, you will be given a juror badge to wear until you are released by the judge. Learn more about how to avoid jury duty scams. Furthermore, employers cannot penalize individuals for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote a worker for time spent on a jury. At least eighteen years of age; having been convicted of a felony, had their civil rights restored . It is against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee because he or she served as a juror or grand juror. [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. You may be selected to serve as a juror on a criminal case or a civil case. In smaller counties, your jury summons may tell you whether you are summoned for a criminal or civil session of court. A state grand jury is enlisted by a superior court for twelve months; nine jurors are replaced in six-month increments. G.S.9-6.1 If the grand jury panel returns an indictment, the party may then be charged and go to trial before a jury to determine their fate. When jurors report to the courthouse, they will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. 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. Jurors may bring a book or other reading materials, needlework, crossword puzzles, stationery, or other materials to occupy their time. 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. Dress for court as if you were going to work or to church. 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. 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. Upon request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted. Occasionally, a grand jury may extend to 18 months of service. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your appearance date. 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. Please also bring a pen or pencil. [3] Anyone who does not qualify under these terms are subject to challenge for cause. Information about jury service as a duty and why it is important in the administration of justice. 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. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving. Grand jurors receive $20 per day. If a meeting is canceled, the court will send the jurors a notice of that cancellation. View our newest version here. Most cases last 3-5 days. 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. 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. Request for Excuse. Those who do not meet these exemptions can still submit an excuse letter if they believe jury service would cause them undue hardship. As jury selection is made, potential jurors will stay in a courthouse waiting area on their first day. You will be acting as part of the court while serving as a juror, so dress appropriately. ), Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or Deferment. 9-6(b). 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. [3] The three-member committee chooses jurors from a master list that they compile using the policies that are given in 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. You may request a reasonable accommodation: Your jury summons provides the date, time, and place to report for jury duty. you may not ultimately end up sitting in on a case. Speak and understand English well enough to be able to participate in a trial. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over at the end of the day. 9-6(b), at any time five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear. In the initial session of a countys criminal superior court after January 1 and July 1, nine names are selected from the master jury list. However, not everyone can or will serve on a jury some people dont meet the requirements, and others may be exempt. Turn right out of the elevator and report to the Jury Assembly Room (5450). Jurors may bring their lunch. How Much Does Jury Duty Pay in NC? of excuses that may be considered, the information you must include in your written request, and any supporting documentation . You have a permanent medical exemption from jury duty due to advanced age or a disability. Jury Forms. [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. 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. Jurors who serve more than five days receive $40 a day. ATTN: Jury Service Individuals selected for jury duty are chosen randomly by an automated system of registered voters and licensed drivers. [3], The names of individuals who have been summoned for jury service as well as the dates on which the individuals have served must be noted on the master jury list. If they do, the employer: Any North Carolina juror that experiences unlawful actions from their employer should contact the jury clerk or court officer where they are serving jury duty. [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. No employer may discharge or demote any employee because the employee has been called for jury duty, or is serving as a grand juror or petit . 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. Senior Jury Duty Exemption. If you lose your jury summons, contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in your county as soon as possible to obtain reporting information. Summons to Appear to Complete Juror Qualification Form. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the courthouse. Remember you will be acting as part of the court while serving as jurors, so dress appropriately. For women, this means a professional-looking pair of pants or a skirt, cardigan, sweater, twinset, or shirt. All jurors will take an oath. Read your summons for specific instructions, or view your county's jury service page. You have a jury duty excuse letter from a doctor. When you report to the courthouse, you may be required to watch a juror orientation video. You may have your provider use our. Mail or fax requests can be submitted to: Chief District Court Judge However, most jurors only serve for one or two days. Find information about jury service in this county. Jurors serving on a grand jury receive $20 a day. North Carolina jury selection policies are documented in the North Carolina General Statutes 9-1 through 9-9. North Carolina and Wyoming allow an exemption starting at 72 years of age followed by an exemption at 75 years of age in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Under North Carolina law, jury duty is a civic requirement for citizens who meet the courts eligibility requirements. You can also be excused if you don't meet the basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in MA . Your duty as a juror is to observe the trial and decide whether the accused is guilty or not. May need to provide other appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, the employees reinstatement if they were discharged because of jury service. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of ten (10) days prior to your appearance date. Ranking low when compared to other states, North Carolina pays jurors $12 per day in state court. A company cannot penalize a worker for sitting on a grand jury. In an emergency, you may be contacted through the Clerk of Superior Courts office, at 336-779-6300. Your feedback regarding the website is welcomed. They must not have a felony conviction unless their citizenship rights have been restored. In North Carolina, a pool of potential jurors is randomly selected from the local population of individuals eligible for jury duty.