Your verdict must be based only on evidence produced in court. basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in CA, your employer is not allowed to penalize you for missing work for jury duty, mental or physical impairment for those over 70. Your employer must allow you time off for jury duty. The California Education Codeat 44037, 48205,87036 protects teachers and some students as well. Explain to the staff person that you have been summoned twice in 12 months. If you need special accommodations,contact the court right away. If the request to be excused is based on care provided to a sick, disabled, or infirm person, the prospective juror may be required to furnish verification or a method of verification that the person being cared for is in need of regular and personal care. Sacramento, CA 95814, Request Postponement / Excuse from Jury Service, Unlawful Detainer (Landlord/Tenant) E-Filing, e-Correspondence (Family Law Self-Help Assistance), Mediation Reports and Findings and Orders After Hearing, Penal Code section 830.1, 830.2(A) or 830.33(A), https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/jury/reporting.aspx, California Code of Civil Part 1 of 9: How to Comply with Reside in the county that summoned you. Without them, our legal system would grind to a halt. For more information, please visit the Courts COVID-19 page. You do not need to speak perfect English to serve as a juror. You may bring a book or newspaper to read while you're waiting for court to begin, or during recesses, but not while court is in session. The grand jury is different from a trial jury (known as a petit jury). (4) The prospective juror will bear an undue risk of material injury to or destruction of the prospective juror's property or property entrusted to the prospective juror, and it is not feasible to make alternative arrangements to alleviate the risk. Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. No one person has to know everything. Please see the Request for Postponement section below if you cannot serve for at least 10 days following You should plan to attend court as a juror all day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but the hours may vary depending on the court's schedule. They may or may not be returned to you when you leave the courthouse. Roadways to the Bench: Who Me? For those individuals who will now be eligible for jury service and wish to serve, please remember that selection is random. Usually it must be rescheduled during the same year and not exceed 90 days from the date of your origina summons week. This is the law. Some people aren't eligible for jury service or can get excused because of their job. I have NOT been convicted of a felony, OR I have been convicted of a felony, but am currently There is no upper age limit for jurors at the state or federal level; courts only require that jurors be 18 years of age or older. However, some courts may excuse you if serving on a jury and missing work would cause undue hardship to either yourself or your employer. In addition, you must not have served as any kind of juror in the past 12 months, must not be currently incarcerated in any prison or jail, and must not have been convicted of a malfeasance in office for which your civil rights have not been restored. However, you should let your employer and/or school know well in advance, as soon as you receive your summons. or malfeasance while holding public office. a postcard response if your request is denied. The judge will take your privacy into consideration when making decisions about the case. Your summons has instructions on how to find out if you must report on your first day and the subsequent days of your week on-call. Free transit service may be available in your area. There are many courtroom processes that must be handled outside of the presence of the jury to protect the integrity of the trial. JPORTAL. Dress as you would to go to a business meeting or social function. 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. A: There is no maximum age limit. Court Committees that are involved in the decision making process of the Court meet during the noon hour. Time: 8:30 AM. No one is exempt because of theirjob, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic status. A: Jurors are not paid for the first day of jury service, but are paid $15 per day and 34 cents per mile one way for the second and subsequent service days. Additional information can be found through theCalifornia Grand Jurors Association. Attorneys may need time to prepare their witnesses and other aspects of the case. If you receive a telephone call, an e-mail or other form of electronic communication from someone identifying himself or herself as a court employee and requesting your personal information, you may be the victim of a jury fraud scam. If you are harassed or fired, contact your local jury office or the judge assigned to your trial. If you cannot understand English, follow the instructions on the summons or contact the Jury Administration Office at (909) 884-1858. The only people who are exempt from jury duty are members of the Armed Forces 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. Procedure, Section 203, California The court will consider excusals for undue hardship for a limited number of serious circumstances. Heres what California law says about jury duty exemptions for homeschool parents. (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007. states, "Jury service, unless excused by law, is a responsibility of juror. NOT on parole, post-release community supervision, felony probation, or mandatory supervision Jurors are summoned randomly from countywide lists maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Franchise Tax Board's state tax filers, and the local registrar of voters. Jury Division Please be patient during this process, because a lot of people have similar concerns about time. 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. Objects like knitting needles, scissors, nail clippers, pocket knives, and weapons are not allowed. Issues viewing the training? No. But elderly jurors can still be Prospective jurors are paid fees and mileage beginning with their second day of service. Superior Court of California, County of Madera Tell us what you think about the new website. There is no limit to the number of times that you may serve in a lifetime. E-Mail: jury@madera.courts.ca.gov. Please note that the above changes do not affect the eligibility and disqualification criteria for criminal or civil grand juries, as specified in Section 893 of the Penal Code. Who Is Exempt From Jury Duty In California? 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. You can also be excused if you dont meet the basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in CA. 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. The Judicial Council of California and staff of the superior courts will never ask past or prospective jurors for financial information, credit card numbers, bank account information, or personal information like Social Security numbers. You should plan to attend court as a juror all day from approximately 8:00 - 5:00 p.m., depending on the court's schedule. Jury trials cannot be held unless citizens of the state in which the trial is held are willing to perform their civic duty. We encourage the use of public transportation. IVR (Interactive Voice Response)-(510)729-8636-This service maybe used to process a deferral of your jury service, to obtain directions to each court location, reporting instructions for each court location, payment information regarding jury service, and to receive a work certification slip. See the section on the courthouse page labeled ** JUROR PARKING **. It is important for you to contact the court to resolve the problem. VTA Light Rail and Bus Service and CAL TRAIN Service contact information is detailed below: VTA Light Rail & Bus Service 1-800-894-9908 (408)321-2330(TDD) www.vta.org, CAL TRAIN Service 1-800-660-4287 www.caltrain.com, 2023 Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, If you are NOT qualified to serve or want to request an excuse, you can submit your request on the. If your answer is NO to any of the above statements you must review and complete the Request to be Disqualified section below. A United States Citizen. (916) 874-7775 anytime after 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before your standby service week begins for your The NCSC can be contacted at 800-877-1233. Discussions with others can cause a mistrial because the juror gained evidence outside the record or was influenced. Please use the Courts juror portal, JPORTAL, where you can register and complete a set of juror eligibility questions as well as complete the questionnaire. You may also wish to contact the California Department of Industrial Relationsand/or theCalifornia Department of Education. We encourage individuals who have questions regarding these changes to contact your local jury office. Attn: Jury Commissioners Office If you violate this rule, you could cause a mistrial. Do not provide this type of information to anyone claiming to be associated with the courts, and contact your local jury office if you receive this type of request. (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. If you cant reach the courtroom, you may contact the Jury Commissioner's Office or the clerk of the court and explain your situation. Over the years the upper age limit for the judiciary has been reduced first to 75, then to 72 and now to 70 with the opportunities to sit beyond, either full time or part time, being reduced. The names of jurors are selected at random from Franchise Tax Board, from everyone who is a registered voter and/or has a driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. An individual who has not been convicted of a felony, or if convicted and civil rights restored, attach a copy of Certificate of Rehabilitation. Courts use Department of Motor Vehicles and voter registration lists. The Superior Court uses the "One Day/One Trial" program under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1002. I'm 73 year of age, I was born in March 21 1949, I have What is the age limit for federal jury duty? That is the law. endobj However, you are only obligated to serve jury duty once every 12 months. Contact the jury commissioner's office as soon as you know that you are going to be late. members of the armed forces on active duty; members of professional fire and police departments; and. However, the judge may order that the prospective juror wear appropriate clothing if they must return for further service. Be at least 18 years old. All potential jurors are selected at random from lists. If youre requesting to be excused review and complete the Request for Excuse section below. Under no circumstances should you investigate the case on your own, either alone or with other jurors. By law, potential jurors are selected RANDOMLY from the Voter Registration list and the Department of Motor Vehicles' drivers and identification card holders. The minimum amount paid is set by the State Legislature. California law says you are qualified to be a juror if you: Reasons you may be excused from jury service include: Resources for Judges, Attorneys, Court Staff, and the Public, View the Court and Community Jury Brochure, Plain language Civil and Criminal Jury Instructions, California Department of Industrial Relations, Through the Eyes of the Juror: A Manual for Addressing Juror Stress, Can understand English enough to understand and discuss the case, Are a resident of the county that sent you the jury summons, Have not served on a jury in the last 12 months, Are not currently on a grand jury or on another trial jury, Are not incarcerated in any prison or jail, Are not on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for the conviction of a felony, Are not required to register as a sex offender, Were convicted of malfeasance while holding public office and have not had your civil rights restored. <> Remember the trial cannot proceed until everyone is present. Do not talk to anyone about the case until you are discharged from the jury. Rule 2.1009. This is intended to make jury service more convenient by shortening the time that a person is required to serve to one day or one trial. Sacramento, CA 95814. The selection and management of jurors is governed by the Code of Civil Procedure. Rules of Court, rule 2.1008 - external link, specifies the grounds on which the Jury If you need assistance, a friend or a family member who speaks English can call for you. Deferring Please click on the "careers" link at the bottom of our website. You may be excused if youhave a serious health problem. The court and its staff must employ all necessary and appropriate means to ensure that citizens fulfill this important civic responsibility. For information and announcements concerning COVID-19 & the June 15, 2021 Re-Opening, please visit:COVID-19 Information Page. If you are 70 years of age or older, the California Rules of Court allow you to be excused due to a medical condition without a This prevents a trial based on secret evidence. date for the required documentation. 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. Therefore, simply having a job isn't in itself enough to be excused from jury duty. All U.S. Citizens who are over the age of 18, a resident of the county that issued the jury summons, and able to understand the English language are eligible to serve on a To request a postponement, click on the button below. The reimbursement rate for public transportation will be up to $12/day. Serving would be an extreme financial burden. Our website will not accept postponements for longer than 90 days, therefore students, Registrar of Voters or call (909) 387-8300, Department of Motor Vehicle or call 1-800-777-0133. WebGroup numbers: 86-95. No. 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. Not even the lawyers or the judge, except through the bailiff. you are currently required to register as a sex offender based on a felony conviction (Penal Code 290). You must also complete the juror questionnaire six (6) or more days prior to your service date. Administrative Oversight and Accountability, Director of Workplace Relations Contacts by Circuit, Fact Sheet for Workplace Protections in the Federal Judiciary, Chronological History of Authorized Judgeships - Courts of Appeals, Chronological History of Authorized Judgeships - District Courts. Students and Teachers may be rescheduled to the next school break. If your information is incorrect, please contact either the Registrar of Voters or Department of Motor Vehicles at the numbers listed below. Jury service may be postponed for a period of up to 90 days from the original summons date. The Presiding Judge or the Jury Commissioner, at mailing address 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. for the conviction of a felony. Juror Parking: If you are driving, click the appropriate link of the location you were instructed to report for service. The terms and purposes of service for each are different and are defined in section 888 of the Penal Code. If any person persists in talking to you about the trial or attempts to influence your judgment as a juror, tell the bailiff. The address, the date, your group number and the time that you are to report for jury duty will be written on the summons. Employers must allow employees time off to serve on a jury. To request an excuse, click on the button below. Most trials last 3-7 days, but some may go longer. They may not be allowed in the courtroom even if they are shut off. Students in California can reschedule their jury duty to the next school break. Selection is random. 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. If you are eligible for an excuse, please mark the correct category on the summons response form. Trial length depends on how complex the issues are and how long jurors spend in deliberations. 720 9th Street which would normally not be a reason to get out of jury duty. You may call the Jury Commissioner's Office during our phone hours at (408) 808-6666 to speak to a jury clerk. These conferences often help expedite the trial or to avoid the possibility of a mistrial. 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. (b) A juror who is employed by a federal, state or local government entity or by any other public entity as defined in Section 481.200, and who receives regular compensation and benefits while performing jury service, may not be paid the fee described in subdivision (a). Note: The California Labor Codeat LAB 230 protects jurors. Persons employed on a full-time basis in any of these categories are barred from serving on federal juries, even if they desire to do so. Let the judge know if it would be a serious hardship for you to serve on a long trial. You may bring a book or newspaper to read while you're waiting for court to begin, or during recesses, but don't read while court is in session. WebAn amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure section 203, which defines who is ineligible for jury duty. If you do not qualify for any of the California statutory exemptions listed above but seriously think that attending jury selection would cause you undue hardship, you can always submit a jury duty excuse letter with your response to the summons, and ask to be excused. Your handbag, briefcase, backpack, and any containers may be x-rayed. If you do not wish to be contacted after the trial, let the judge know. Postponing one's jury service is preferred to excusing a prospective You may complete a hardship request six (6) or more days prior to your service date. If directed to report, plan to attend court as a juror from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Be alert and courteous. It could be a middle initial missing or a maiden name not changed after marriage. The court uses common, everyday language that people can understand. teachers and breastfeeding mother will need to make their request in writing via: Jury Commissioner Jurors decide the outcome of a trial as a group, with each member making an important contribution. A compliant face covering is a surgical or double layered mask or an N95 respirator. This cherished right is guaranteed by both the U.S. and California Constitutions. The California Labor Code prevents any employer from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned for jury service. The California Judicial Branch offers diverse career opportunities in a variety of fields including jury management, as well as court operations, finance, information technology, legal, facilitates, administrative support, and more. You may not serve on a jury if you have been convicted of a malfeasance in office and your civil rights have not been restored. You may not talk to witnesses, nor do independent experiments. The judge may have to set the next day's calendar and dispose of other cases. WebOnce you reach age 70 in Nevada, you are exempt from serving on a jury no matter where you live. As a citizen you participate in an important public process and fulfill a civic obligation. Reading material and handiwork may only be used while court is not in session. https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/jury/reporting.aspx or call the automated system at Your court may also pay for some travel costs. Can I Get Excused From Jury Duty Because I Work? If you are seeking excuse from a summons , you will be notified by e -mail or via the U.S. All persons accused of a crime or involved in a civil dispute have a constitutional right to have a jury decide their cases. I had my civil rights restored following a conviction of a felony or malfeasance while holding public office. All persons accused of a crime or involved in a civil dispute have a constitutional right to have a jury decide their cases. Let them know what you will need. 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. your scheduled summons date. A prospective juror who has served on a grand or trial jury or was summoned and appeared for jury service in any state or federal court during the previous 12 months must be excused from service on request. Rule 2.1008 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 860 effective July 1, 1997. San Jose, CA 95113. The terms and purposes of service for each are different and are defined in section 888 of the Penal Code. If a member of the media, a lawyer, or a friend or family member of one of the people involved in the case approaches you during the trial, let the judge know immediately. Be alert and courteous. 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. Our office hours to receive assistance with your jury service are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Friday The public transit reimbursement starts on the first day. Postal Service of the Courts decision. California has one day or one trial jury service. Please be advised that any requests for such information may be a scam. Clickhereto watch the Juror Orientation videobeforeyou come to court. In any individual case, unless the person is aged 70 years or older, the prospective juror may be required to furnish verification or a method of verification of the disability or impairment, its probable duration, and the particular reasons for the person's inability to serve as a juror. 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.