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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Jury Service
If asked to report, how many hours will I be at the courthouse each day?On the first day you report, you will be requested to be at the courthouse at 8:00 A.M. for jury orientation. Depending on how many cases are going that particular day, you could be at the courthouse until 4:30-5:00. When you are serving on a case, the hours are approximately 9:00-4:30 (depending on the judge). Back to TopHow long do I serve on Jury duty?You are “on call” for a two week period of time. Therefore, every night for two weeks (beginning after 5:00P.M. on the Friday before your term begins), you should call the report message system at (404)215-1501. You will then enter your nine digit participant number that begins with "100". If you serve on a case which concludes during your two-week term, you remain “on-call” and may serve again. If your case extends beyond the two-week period, you are required to serve for its entire duration (this occurs infrequently). Back to TopHow will I know which days to report?You are “on call” for a two week period of time. Therefore, every night for two weeks (beginning after 5:00P.M. on the Friday before your term begins), you should call the report message system at (404)215-1501. If the automated system says to report, then you would report the following day. If you serve on a case which concludes during your two-week term, you remain “on-call” and may serve again. If your case extends beyond the two-week period, you are required to serve for its entire duration (this occurs infrequently). Back to TopWill I ever have to spend the night?It is VERY rare that you would ever need to spend the night. In general, jurors would be notified in advance if they were to be sequestered. Back to TopWhere did you get my name for jury duty and who is considered “qualified?”Names for all potential jurors are randomly chosen from voter registration lists obtained from the Secretary of State’s Office. You are qualified if you are over the age of 18, are a U.S. Citizen, and have been residing in the state of Georgia for at least one (1) year. Back to TopWhat are the grounds for requesting a permanent excuse, and how do I request one?There are several legal reasons for which you can be excused. All excuses must be made in writing to the U.S. District Court jury office. You can be excused if: A) You are 70 years of age or older; B) You provide full-time care to aged or infirm person; C) You provide full-time care to children under the age of 10; D) You are a volunteer firefighter or member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew; E) You have a grave medical condition or physical disability (for which a doctor’s letter is mandatory); F) You have served within two years in the Federal Court Back to TopWhat are the grounds for requesting a temporary excuse, and how do I request one?You may request a temporary postponement due to other commitments (vacation, work, health, school, etc.) that may conflict with your summons date. It will be necessary to submit a letter to the Jury Office with your request at least SEVEN business days prior to when your service is to begin. Please indicate in your letter when you will be able to serve within three (3) months. You will receive a postcard in the mail regarding the judge’s decision and your new service date. Back to TopWhat types of cases are tried in Federal Court?You will be serving on cases involving federal laws. They can be either criminal or civil cases. Criminal cases include bank robbery, tax evasion, and drug distribution. Civil cases include civil rights, personal injury, and product liability. Back to TopWhat is a petit jury?A petit jury is a trial jury. It will be your responsibility to decide guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal case or whether a plaintiff or defendant should prevail in a civil case. As a petit juror, you will serve at one of our 4 divisional offices: Atlanta, Gainesville, Newnan & Rome (depending on where you live). Back to TopWhat is a grand jury?Grand jurors hear criminal cases only. It is the responsibility of the Grand Jury to determine if there is enough evidence to indict a defendant. It is not the Grand Jury’s responsibility to determine guilt or innocence. Grand Jurors are from all four of our divisions and meet in Atlanta once a month from 12-18 months. Back to TopWhat if I am hearing impaired but still want to serve?At their September 1995 meeting, the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted a policy that all federal courts are to provide accommodations to those persons with hearing difficulties. Therefore, the Court can provide sign language interpreters and does have available magnified hearing devices for those jurors qualified to serve. Back to TopHow much do you pay for jury duty?You will receive $40.00 per day attendance fee plus 48.5 cents for round-trip mileage. You will receive a parking pass once you report for the parking lot located behind the Russell Building. Meals are not provided but there is a subsidized cafeteria in the building. Some common mileage distances include
Is payment received for jury duty subject to income tax? What if jurors are paid for mileage from home to the courthouse?Amounts received for jury duty are includible in gross income. See section 1.61-2(a)(1), Income Tax Regulations. Reimbursement for travel to and from the courthouse is for commuting expenses and is also includible in gross income. There is an exception to this rule: If an employee must surrender the jury duty pay to their employer in order to receive their normal compensation, then the amount of jury duty pay may be claimed as an above-the-line deduction in determining adjusted gross income. In this situation, the deduction for jury duty pay should be included on Form 1040. If you earn more than $600.00 as a juror, we will send you a 1099 to complete for tax purposes. Back to TopCan I stay overnight the night before I have to report in Atlanta and where should I stay?If you live more than 65 miles from the courthouse in which you are serving, you are entitled to a per diem subsistence rate. (Normally, this applies to Grand Jurors who live in other divisions besides Atlanta). There are hotels in and around the metro area including but not limited to:
Back to TopDoes my employer have to pay me my normal wages if I’m serving on a jury?No, there is no law enforcing employers to pay employees for the time they missed while on Jury Duty. Often times they will ask that you pay them your attendance fee(s) in order to maintain your bi-monthly, monthly, etc. salary. However, you should be able to keep your mileage. Back to TopCan my employer fire me for not being at work due to jury duty?Pursuant to Title 28, U.S.C. Section 1875 “No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee’s jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of the United States.” Back to TopMay I bring my children?No. Please do not bring your children to court as there are no facilities for them. Back to TopWhat should I wear?Jurors should be comfortably dressed. We prefer that you do not come in tank tops, halters, flip-flops, etc. We encourage you to bring a sweater or jacket as the courtrooms can get cold. Back to TopWhat if I fail to show up?The Northern District of Georgia takes “no show” jurors very seriously. You will first be sent a letter to show cause as to why you didn’t appear. If we don’t hear from you, we will then send you an order to appear at a hearing and explain before a District Court judge the reason for your delinquency. The ultimate penalty could be $100.00 fine or no more than three (3) days in jail. Back to Top
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| This page last updated 03/03/08 09:09:13 AM. |