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1.
Why must I serve on Jury Duty?
2.
Why must jurors spend so much time
waiting?
3.
How are people chosen to be called for
jury service?
4.
What happens to jurors who fail to
report?
5.
How do I receive a postponement of my
service?
6.
How long does a juror serve?
7.
Is it true that sometimes jurors are not
allowed to go home until after the trial is over? Is this common?
8.
Are jurors compensated?
9.
What about transportation costs?
10.
What about the juror’s job?
11.
Is it possible to report for jury service but not sit on a jury?
12.
What is the possibility that a juror will be called again for
service in the near future?
13.
Are the same people summoned every few years?
14.
Is it necessary to complete another juror qualification
questionnaire before each service as a juror?
15.
What can jurors do to make their service more enjoyable?
16.
How are jurors with disabilities accommodated?
17.
Who else will be in the courtroom?
1. Why must I serve on Jury Duty? Top
The
Constitution of the United States and the State of Indiana guarantee defendants in criminal cases and litigants
in civil cases the right to a trial by jury. Indiana law states that all litigants have the right to juries
selected from a fair cross section of the community and that all eligible
citizens shall have both the opportunity and obligation to serve.
2. Why must jurors spend so much time
waiting? Top
The
most common complaint of jurors everywhere the seemingly endless
waiting. The time you spend waiting is
being used by the judge and attorneys to resolve cases. Many cases are resolved once the parties realize
that potential jurors are in the building.
The staff of the Court Administrator's Office will do their best to
keep you well informed. Your
attendance is crucial to our judicial process and is greatly appreciated.
3. How are people chosen to be called
for jury service? Top
Prior to 2006, the
Lake County jury system obtained the names of
Lake County residents who are included on the list of registered
voters and the lists maintained by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Now, jurors are randomly selected from a combined
list including Department of Revenue and Bureau of Motor Vehicles information. A random selection of 100,000 names is made
at the beginning of each year. Throughout the year, prospective jurors are
selected randomly from the 100,000 initial jurors and are sent a juror
qualification questionnaire/summons. This questionnaire must be completed by
the prospective juror and returned to the Office of the Court Administrator. Those individuals who "qualify"
for service-a US citizen and county resident; at least 18 years of age; who
are able to understand and communicate in English; are not suffering from a
physical or mental disability or under a guardianship because of mental
incapacity; have not had their rights revoked due a felony conviction and are
not a law enforcement officer (criminal trials only) must report for
service as indicated on the summons.
On July 1, 2006, juror exemptions
were eliminated statewide. This means that no automatic exemptions are
available by statute. All jurors must respond to the court as to why
they cannot serve and the determination as to defer a juror's service now
falls completely on the Court
4. What
happens to jurors who fail to report? Top
Any Juror who fails to report may be called in on an Order to Show
Cause to explain their absence. Any
failure to report may find you in contempt of court, which is punishable by
up to 3 days in jail or $100.
5. How
do I receive a postponement of my service? Top
The jury rules do allow for a
deferment of your service. The request must be made in writing at the time
you return your qualification questionnaire. Faxes, emails, letters or
your appearance in person all acceptable methods of requesting a deferral. The fax number is (219)
755-3004. The email address is
JURYDUTY@LAKECOUNTYIN.ORG Only one postponement will
be granted, normally for a period of 3-6months.
- Matters of
Conscience/Religious Convictions: Any request to be excused based on
matters of conscience will be handled during jury selection and
determined by the judge and attorneys.
- Request from
Employer: The Office of the Court Administrator may not accept any
request for deferral from an employer.
- Work Related
Excuse: A work related excuse is not a valid reason for
postponement.
- Full Time Student:
As there are no exemptions, students must select an alternate date to
serve during school recess.
6. How long does a
juror serve? Top
The Indiana Supreme Court recently implemented a policy to reduce the
length of service to the shortest possible term.
A person who appears for service as a petit juror services until the
conclusion of the first trial in which the juror is sworn, regardless of the
length of the trial or the manner in which the trial is disposed. A person who appears for service but is not
selected and sworn as a juror completes their service when jury selection is
completed and they are released by the court.
Some trials may last longer than three days. The judge or attorneys will
inform the prospective jurors of the expected length of the trial.
7. Is it true that sometimes jurors are not
allowed to go home until after the trial is over? Is this common? Top
As a general rule, jurors go home at the end of the day and return the next
morning. There are occasions on which the court will be required to
"sequester" a jury on a criminal case during deliberations. In
extremely rare instances, a jury may be sequestered during the trial itself.
"Sequestered" means that jurors do not go home at the end of the
day, but stay in a hotel, where their access to other people and to radio and
television news or newspapers is limited. The judge or bailiff will inform
you in advance if there is a possibility that the jury may be sequestered.
The expense of all meals and lodging for sequestered jurors is the
responsibility of the Lake Superior Court.
8. Are jurors compensated? Top
Pursuant to Lake County
policy and Indiana State Law, the county will pay jurors a fee of $20 for
appearing for selection and $40 for each day of physical attendance on a
trial.
9. What
about transportation costs? Top
Lake County provides .40 cents per mile for each round trip made
to the juror’s court location as reimbursement for transportation costs. There is no need to keep track of your
mileage.
10. What
about the juror's job? Top
Indiana State
law prohibits an employer from subjecting an employee to penalties or termination
of employment due to jury service- so long as the employee notifies the
employer upon receipt of the jury summons. The question of salary and wages
is a matter to be addressed between the juror and the employer.
In order to verify to an employer that jury service was performed, jurors may
request that court staff provide them with an attendance/work slip.
Jurors who believe that they have been penalized by their employer due to
jury service should contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.
11. Is it possible to report for jury service but
not sit on a jury? Top
Yes. In many cases, parties seek to settle their differences to avoid the
expense and time demanded by a trial. Thus, while several trials may be
scheduled for one particular day, the court cannot be certain until that
morning, and sometimes afternoon, which cases will actually require a trial
and a jury.
Even if not selected to serve on a jury, the juror's role is vital. Many
times, it is the very presence of a jury-which signifies the trial process
and an uncertain outcome-that encourages parties to resolve issues, reach a
settlement, or enter a plea.
12. What is the possibility that a juror will be
called again for service in the near future? Top
Prior to 2005, jurors had the right to defer their servie if they had served
in the previous year. As of January 1, 2005, jurors can request a
deferral if they have served (received payment for) jury service with in the
past two years.
13. Are the same people summoned every few years? Top
No. The same jurors are not automatically summoned every few years. The
random selection process assures a fair and impartial juror selection
process.
14. Is it necessary to complete another
juror qualification questionnaire before each service as a juror? Top
Yes. The Jury Administrator needs the most current information available to
determine qualifications of each potential juror.
15.
What can jurors do to make their service more enjoyable? Top
Jurors very often have to wait while important pretrial activities take place
before they are assigned to a particular jury panel. Reporting jurors are
encouraged to bring along books or newspapers to read during breaks. Cell
phones are permitted as are laptop computers. However, once the jury
selection or trial begins, reading materials and the like are not permitted
unless authorized by the trial judge.
16. How are
jurors with disabilities accommodated? Top
If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to allow you to
serve, the court will try to provide the services or auxiliary aids that you
need. The kinds of auxiliary aids that are generally available include
assistive listening devices, and sign language interpreters.
Any access questions or requests for assistance can be conveyed to the Jury
Administrator, Bailiff or Judge in the courtroom where you are assigned.
17.
Who else will be in the courtroom? Top
A number of people will be in the courtroom in addition to the judge and
jury. The list below explains who they are and what they may be doing.
Plaintiff - In a civil case, the plaintiff is the party who initiates
the lawsuit by bringing the case to court.
Defendant - In a civil matter, the defendant is the party who is being
sued. In a criminal case, the defendant is a person who has been charged with
a crime.
Attorneys or Counsel - In certain cases, including criminal cases,
attorneys representing the plaintiff, the defendant or the government are
referred to as counsel. An attorney representing the government in a criminal
case is called the prosecuting attorney.
Court Reporter - The court reporter records the official record of the
trial by recording every word which is spoken. This record will be converted
into an official transcript of the trial.
Court Security Officer - The court security officer keeps order,
maintains the security of the court, and assists the judge and the jury as
needed.
Witnesses - Witnesses provide testimony, under oath, as to what they
have seen, heard or otherwise observed regarding the case.
Interpreter - Interpreters, under oath, provide language
interpretation for the court on behalf of a non-English speaking or hearing
impaired party or witness.
Spectators - Spectators are members of the public who are generally
permitted to observe court proceedings. Often spectators include
representatives of the media.
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