You will have to report for jury duty for one of the summonses. A United States Citizen. WebA: There is no age exemption for jury service. COVID-19: COURT OPERATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICRevised 5/2/2022 - 9:32 am. The court uses common, everyday language that people can understand. Postponement may be available for health problems, pre-existing personal commitments that cannot be rescheduled, or scheduled paid vacation. The current reimbursement rate for mileage is $0.34/mileage and will be calculated from the jurors address to and from the assigned courthouse. The selection of persons for jury service is accomplished by WebJury duty is mandatory for all U.S. citizens, so you cant skip it or postpone it without a just cause. The minimum amount paid is set by the State Legislature. You may not substitute someone else in your place for jury duty. California Jury Duty Excuse List - Getting Excused From Jury Duty Discussions with others can cause a mistrial because the juror gained evidence outside the record or was influenced. Jurors decide the outcome of a trial as a group, with each member making an important contribution. California has a statutory exemption that allows individuals over a certain age to request exemption from jury duty. In determining whether to excuse the prospective juror for this reason, consideration must be given to: (B) The source and duration of the risk; (C) The probability that the risk will be realized; (D) The reason alternative arrangements to protect the property cannot be made; and. group reporting instructions. WebOnce you reach age 70 in Nevada, you are exempt from serving on a jury no matter where you live. If you cannot understand English, follow the instructions on the summons or contact the Jury Administration Office at (909) 884-1858. Breastfeeding mothers may be postponed for a period of up to one year. However, the judge may order that the prospective juror wear appropriate clothing if they must return for further service. A postcard will be sent to you with the due your scheduled summons date. You can update your information and request a postponement using the. Usually it must be rescheduled during the same year and not exceed 90 days from the date of your origina summons week. Jurors who are Follow the directions on your summons to request a postponement. (Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2007.). JOB and SCHOOL: You are notified, as require by law, that Labor Code section 230 states that no employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury if such employee, prior to taking such time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer that he/she is required to serve. The grand jury is different from a trial jury (known as a petit jury). Contact HRTraining@alameda.courts.ca.gov. Free transit service may be available in your area. Excuses for jurors are granted at the discretion of the court and cannot be reviewed or appealed to Congress or any other entity. We encourage individuals who have questions regarding these changes to contact your local jury office. All prospective jurors are required to go through the metal detectors. WebPersons who are less than 18 years of age; Persons who are not residents of the State of California as determined under the Elections Code; Information About Jury Duty in Trinity County. However, if you have received a pardon from the Governor and had your civil rights restored, pursuant to California Penal Code, Section 4852.01-4854, you may serve on a jury. Should you need a compliant face covering, one will be provided. citizenship". endobj If you face an undue hardship, you may be able to be excused from jury service or postpone service. Under no circumstances should you investigate the case on your own, either alone or with other jurors. The court uses common, everyday language that people can understand. No one person has to know everything. check the website: California provides jurors with $15 every day starting on the second day of service, except employees of governmental entities who receive full pay and benefits from their employers while on jury service. If assigned to a courtroom on the day you report for jury duty and released by the judge in that court, you may be required to enter another courtroom for jury selection. The office is in the Main Courthouse and is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Jury Staff is available to assist sworn jurors beyond 3:00 p.m. as needed. In California, your employer is not allowed to penalize you for missing work for jury duty. No. The only people who are exempt from jury duty are members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty, members of fire and police departments, and public officers of the government. (2) A statutory exemption from jury service must be granted only when the eligible person claims it. WebIs there an age limit for being summoned or serving as a juror? The amendment is to the prohibition relative to persons who have been convicted of a felony from being eligible and qualified to be a prospective trial juror. Ignoring a summons in Alameda County can lead to serious consequences, including a fine of up to: $250 for the first offense $750 for the They may be obtained from the jury staff at the completion of your 1st day of jury duty. I am NOT currently incarcerated in prison or jail. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, section 2.1006, a mother who is breastfeeding a child may request that jury service be deferred for up to one year, and may renew that request as long as she is breastfeeding, however the request must be in writing, under penalty of perjury. Two types of trials have juries: criminal trials and civil trials. Remember - A Jury Selection Summons Doesn't Mean You'll Be On A Jury. Also, thosewho are currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code based on the felony conviction are not eligible for jury service. Remember: The trial cannot proceed until everyone is present. Once all trials have selected and jurors are no longer needed for that week, you should be released from jury service for a period of one-year. Reside in the county that summoned you. Each of the 94 federal district courts maintains its own jury procedures and policies regarding excuses from jury service. Your length of service may vary depending on the court to which you have been summoned. If you have an issue with your jury service, please contact your local court. If your report date is a Tuesday, following a holiday you may call anytime throughout the weekend after 5:30 p.m. on Friday. We asked regular American citizens what they think about federal jury service and their response may surprise you. Do not talk to anyone about the case until you are discharged from the jury, not even the lawyers or the judge, except through the bailiff. The court asks for your patience and suggests that you bring a book or other reading material to occupy your time while waiting. See California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 203(a) (5). However, you may still have to come in person to request a disqualification. (4) Inconvenience to a prospective juror or an employer is not an adequate reason to be excused from jury duty, although it may be considered a ground for deferral. on the button below. If directed to report, plan to attend court as a juror from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have been summoned for jury duty, please report as directed. An excuse on the ground of undue hardship may be granted for any of the following reasons: (1) The prospective juror has no reasonably available means of public or private transportation to the court. The following principles govern the granting of excuses from jury service by the jury commissioner on grounds of undue hardship under Code of Civil Procedure section 204: (1) No class or category of persons may be automatically excluded from jury duty except as provided by law. Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are two ways to receive a pardon: one is by applying for and being granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon, and the second is through a Direct Application for Pardon. Your verdict must be based only on evidence produced in court. The California Education Codeat 44037, 48205,87036 protects teachers and some students as well. Whether or not a senior citizen can be excused from jury duty depends on the specific procedures and policies of the district he is called to serve in, according to the U.S. Courts. Some districts have an exemption for citizens who are age 70 or older. Heres what California law says about jury duty exemptions for homeschool parents. You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to be a juror. Typically, if you are not chosen for jury selection after one day at the courthouse then your service is done for at least one year. Read your summons carefully or contact your local jury office. If this happens, do not feel slighted or guess what is being said. Consistent with the July 16, 2021 recommendation of the Alameda County Public Health Officer, all persons entering any court facility including for jury duty are required to wear a compliant face covering over their nose and mouth, regardless of their vaccination status. Please see the Request for Postponement section below if you cannot serve for at least 10 days following California has a list of specific excuses that can be used to be exempt from reporting for jury duty, including excuses for military, elected official, age, police, medical worker, firefighter and disability. If any person persists in talking to you about the trial or attempts to influence you as a juror, inform the bailiff. 1 0 obj After 5 P.M. on the Friday before your summons date and every night during your summons week, check our Jury Reporting Instructions pageor call (510) 879-3079 to receive reporting instructions. Madera, CA 93637 The juror should write a letter to the clerk of court requesting an excuse with an explanation of hardship. The mileage payment starts on the second day. Business attire is always appropriate. Further questions should be directed to your local court. This is the law. Jury Duty Age 70 CaliforniaYou may contact Jury Administration at 909-884-1858 or 1-866-402-JURY (5879). WebExcuse requests cannot be accepted on the date you are scheduled to appear for jury duty. You can also get out of jury duty, based on age which can range from 65 to 80 years old, depending on Superior Court of California. A resident of San Luis Obispo County. Please consult an attorney for legal advice, your local California Superior Court clerks office, or your probation office for further guidance. (916) 874-7775 anytime after 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before your standby service week begins for your You must be at least 18 years of age to serve. Web- You are under 18 years of age; - You are not domiciled in the State of California due to employment or military service; - You are not a resident of Santa Clara County; - You have The public transit reimbursement starts on the first day. Jury Trials are held at the following Court locations only: Once you have been assigned as a juror and sworn to hear the case, the court will instruct you as to what time you are to report and where. Most hardships are addressed the first day of service with the Judge. a postcard response if your request is denied. For further assistance, please email jury@alameda.courts.ca.gov. Please be advised, depending on the needs of the Court, you may be required to report to any one of our four locations. The court and its staff must employ all necessary and appropriate means to ensure that citizens fulfill this important civic responsibility. If your answer is NO to any of the above statements you must review and complete the Request to be Disqualified section below. However, you may still have to come in person to request a disqualification. or malfeasance while holding public office. The law provides that jurors' names are selected at random from lists of resident state tax filers, the list of registered voters, and the Department of Motor Vehicles' list of licensed drivers and identification cardholders resident within the area served by the court. It could be a middle initial missing or a maiden name not changed after marriage. Dress as you would to go to a business meeting or a social function. Most trials last 3-7 days, but some may go longer. (5) The prospective juror has a physical or mental disability or impairment, not affecting that person's competence to act as a juror, that would expose the potential juror to undue risk of mental or physical harm. Your verdict must be based only on evidence produced in court. The work done by the courts affects all people, so it is important that all communities be a part of our justice system. Registrar of Voters or call (909) 387-8300, Department of Motor Vehicle or call 1-800-777-0133. You should contact the courtin question where your jury service was/has been scheduled if you have a problem with your employer because of jury service. However, if you have been convicted of a felony and are currently on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for the conviction of a felony, youremain disqualified from jury service. Please make every effort to use public transportation whenever possible. Do not wear shorts or tank tops. Section 230(a) of the California Labor Code reads: An employermay notdischarge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury, if the employee, prior to taking the time off, give reasonable notice to the employer that he or she is required to serve. The judge, attorneys and court staff make every effort to keep your wait to a minimum; however you may wish to bring a book or something to occupy your time while waiting. The judge knows approximately how long the trial will take and he or she will give you an idea when your group is called for jury selection. As a qualified juror, you are instructed to The date of your appearance is on the jury postcard you were mailed. During deliberations at the end of the trial, of course, you will discuss the case with other jurors in order to reach a verdict. The judge must balance the requirement in the federal Constitution that guarantees people a public and speedy trial against the concerns jurors may have about privacy. You must also complete the juror questionnaire six (6) or more days prior to your service date.