Can I Bring a Laptop to Jury Duty

Court and Community Jury Brochure thumbnail You practice non need any special skills or legal knowledge to be a juror. All you need is an open mind and a readiness to work with the other jurors to brand decisions.
View the Court and Customs Jury Brochure to get data and instructions for responding to your juror summons.

Juries play an important and crucial role in our state's democratic process. Without them, our legal system would grind to a halt. Your help is essential in ensuring that all citizens are available to serve on juries when called.

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Essential Information

Juror Pay

California pays jurors $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. Considering governmental employers already pay these jurors, the courts exercise not pay them an additional daily fee. All jurors receive at least 34 cents for each mile they travel to court. The mileage payment, only for ane-way travel, also starts on the second day. Some courts may pay yous what it costs to take mass transit or local transit agencies may provide costless bus or rails transportation to court. Ask your local jury role for data nearly your court'south payment process.

Length of Service

California has one twenty-four hours or one trial jury service. This means that people are not required to come to court for more than one day of jury duty unless they are assigned to a court for jury selection, or serve on a trial, more than than once every 12 months. Typically, if you are not called for jury pick later i day at the courthouse and so your service is done for at least ane yr. If you are selected to serve on a jury, later the trial is over your service is also completed for at least a year and oft longer. In fact, the majority of people who written report for jury service serve for just one day. The vast bulk of people who actually serve on a jury find it a fascinating and rewarding experience that they would exercise again.

Failure to Appear

Yous must report for jury service if you are qualified and y'all have non been excused or had your service postponed. Any person who fails to reply may exist fined up to $i,500, incarcerated, or both. Carefully follow the instructions on the summons and contact the court if you demand help.

Transportation

Although many courts offer parking for jurors, it is often scarce. Free transit service may be bachelor in your area. Check your summons or contact your local jury office for more than information.

Emergencies

If there is an emergency at dwelling, you tin can be contacted at the courthouse. In an emergency, the judge can excuse y'all at any fourth dimension during the trial, fifty-fifty during deliberations, and an alternate can take your place. Of grade, the emergency must be significant. The judge will brand the final conclusion.

Security

When y'all enter the courthouse, y'all may go through a metal detector. Your pocketbook, briefcase, backpack, and any containers may be x-rayed. Objects like knitting needles, pair of scissors, smash clippers, pocket knives, and weapons are not allowed. If y'all take forbidden items, yous may exist asked to leave the courthouse and return without them. Security officers might keep items they think are hazardous. They may or may not exist returned to y'all when you go out the courthouse. Alcoholic beverages are as well not allowed.

Courtroom Requirements

We advise yous habiliment comfortable clothing that fits with the importance and dignity of the courtroom. Shorts, tank tops, blank midriffs, or similar dress are not allowed. Concern attire is always advisable. Cheque your summons or local jury part for more than information. You may not utilize computers, cellular phones, cameras, or tape recorders in the courtroom. They may not be allowed in the court even if they are shut off.

Age & Health

Y'all may exist excused if you have a serious health problem. If you are sick or injured, yous may postpone your service or request an excuse. If you are disabled, you may asking a permanent medical alibi. Follow the directions on the summons for postponement or excuse. A dr.'s note may be required. If you need special accommodations, contact the court right away.

Juror Qualifications

California law says you lot are qualified to be a juror if you:

Are a U.S. citizen
Are at to the lowest degree eighteen years former
Tin understand English enough to understand and discuss the case
Are a resident of the canton that sent you the jury summons
Have not served on a jury in the concluding 12 months
Are not currently on a grand jury or on another trial jury
Are not nether a conservatorship
Have had your civil rights restored if yous were convicted of a felony or malfeasance while holding public function

Beginning January 1, 2020, individuals with criminal records that meet certain criteria are eligible to serve as a juror.

In accord with Senate Bill 310, which changes the eligibility and disqualification criteria listed in Section 203 of the Code of Ceremonious Process, having a felony confidence on your criminal record does non disqualify you from jury service. This modify is constructive January 1, 2020.

However, if you have been convicted of a felony and are currently on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for the confidence of a felony, you remain disqualified from jury service. Additionally, individuals who are currently required to register every bit a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code based on a felony conviction. Lastly, if any individual is incarcerated in any prison or jail, they are also butterfingers from jury service.

Additionally, these changespractice not affect the eligibility and disqualification criteria for service on a criminal or civil grand jury, every bit specified in Section 893 of the Penal Code.

We encourage individuals who have questions regarding these changes to contact your local jury office. For those individuals who volition now be eligible for jury service and wish to serve, please remember that selection is random. The best way to ensure your proper name is added to the randomized selection process is to update your information with your county's local registrar of voters and with the California Section of Motor Vehicles, as well equally filing a taxation return with the Franchise Tax Lath.

No one is exempt because of their job, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or economical status.

If y'all are qualified, please follow the directions on your summons and call in or report as instructed. You volition receive additional data when you report for service.

Even if you are qualified to be a juror, y'all might still have what is chosen an "undue hardship." An undue hardship is a difficult situation that prevents you from being able to serve.

If y'all face an undue hardship, you may be able to be excused from jury service or postpone service.

Alibi from Service

Reasons y'all may be excused from jury service include:

You have no means of transportation.
Yous would accept to travel an excessive distance to the courthouse.
Y'all take a physical or mental impairment.
You provide care for a dependent and cannot beget to have someone comprehend for you.
Serving would be an extreme financial burden.

If yous are eligible for an excuse, please mark the correct category on the summons response form. Return it to the court right abroad. Even if you inquire for an excuse, you may however be required to come to court to speak with the approximate.

Postponement

Sometimes business or personal matters get in impossible to serve on the appointment shown on your summons. In that case you may inquire to postpone your jury service. Follow the directions on your summons to request a postponement. Give the primeval date you volition be able to serve.

Note: The California Labor Code at LAB § 230 protects jurors. Information technology is confronting the law to fire or harass an employee who is summoned to serve equally a juror. The California Educational activity Code at §§§ 44037, 48205, 87036 protects teachers and some students every bit well. Nonetheless, you should let your employer and/or school know well in accelerate, as presently equally you receive your summons. You should contact the court in question where your jury service was/has been scheduled if you take a problem with your employer because of jury service. Yous may also wish to contact the California Section of Industrial Relations and/or the California Section of Education.

FAQs

I'thou decorated. Why should I serve?

As a juror y'all participate in an important public process and fulfill a civic obligation. All persons accused of a criminal offense or involved in a ceremonious dispute take a ramble right to have a jury make up one's mind their cases. When you serve on a jury, you make important decisions affecting other people'south lives too as your own community.

What kinds of trials will I hear?

2 types of trials have juries: criminal trials and civil trials. Juvenile and family unit constabulary trials do not have juries.

How did you get my name?

All potential jurors are selected at random from lists. Courts use Department of Motor Vehicles and voter registration lists.

Volition staff of the jury manager'southward office ask me for fiscal or personal information?

No. Staff of the superior courts will never inquire by or prospective jurors for personal data like financial history, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or Social Security numbers. Practise not provide this blazon of information to anyone claiming to be associated with the courts, and contact your local jury role if you lot receive this type of request. If you receive a phone call, an e-mail or other form of electronic advice from someone identifying himself or herself as a courtroom employee and requesting your personal information, you may be the victim of a jury fraud scam. Please do not provide any information and immediately contact the fraud unit of your local law department and the jury office of your local court.

Why do I always get summoned only other people don't?

Selection is random. If you lot have already responded to a summons or accept served in the past 12 months, contact your local jury role. Explicate to the staff person that you accept been summoned twice in 12 months. It is of import for you to contact the court to resolve the problem.

What if I have never been summoned merely am interested in serving?

Jurors are summoned randomly from countywide lists maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Franchise Tax Board'due south country tax filers, and the local registrar of voters. Inclusion on the list of eligible jurors does not guarantee that you will be immediately selected for jury service. If you have non been selected, you may want to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Franchise Revenue enhancement Board, and/or your local registrar of voters to update your mailing address. Further questions should be directed to your local court.

What if I exercise not speak English language?

You lot do not need to speak perfect English to serve as a juror. The court uses common, everyday linguistic communication that people can empathise. The work done by the courts affects all people, so it is of import that all communities be a part of our justice system. No one person has to know everything. Jurors decide the consequence of a trial as a group, with each member making an important contribution. If you cannot sympathise English, follow the instructions on the summons or contact the jury office. If yous need assistance, a friend or a family member who speaks English can phone call for yous. However, you may yet have to come in person to request a disqualification.

May I serve on a jury if I am a felon?

Outset January 1, 2020, sure individuals with a criminal history may serve on California trial juries. However, if y'all 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, y'all remain disqualified from jury service. Additionally, if any private is incarcerated in any prison or jail, they are disqualified from jury service. Also, those who are currently required to register as a sexual practice offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code based on the felony conviction are non eligible for jury service. Finally, any person who has been convicted of malfeasance in office and whose ceremonious rights accept not been restored may non serve on a jury.

Notwithstanding, if you have received a pardon from the Governor and had your civil rights restored pursuant to California Penal Code sections 4852.01-4854, y'all may serve on a jury even if you lot have been convicted of malfeasance in office. There are two ways to receive a pardon: one is by applying for and beingness granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon, and the 2nd is through a Direct Awarding for Pardon. Please consult an chaser for legal advice, your local California Superior Courtroom clerk's office, or your probation office for further guidance.

Delight note that the to a higher place changes do non affect the eligibility and disqualification criteria for criminal or ceremonious grand juries, as specified in Section 893 of the Penal Code.

How long does a trial take?

Trial length depends on how complex the issues are and how long jurors spend in deliberations. Virtually trials are completed within a week. 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. Judges are aware that long trials can be hard. Let the judge know if it would exist a serious hardship for you to serve on a long trial. Please be patient during this process, considering a lot of people have like concerns about time.

What happens to my chore obligations?

Your employer must allow you time off to serve on a jury. That is the law. The California Labor Code prevents any employer from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned for jury service. Schoolhouse employees and students are protected also in dissimilar parts of the law. Notwithstanding, you lot must let your employer know well in advance, every bit before long equally you receive your summons. You should contact the court if you accept a problem with your employer. Think that you can postpone jury service to a more convenient time. Read your summons carefully or contact your local jury office to find out how to request a postponement.

What if I treat a child or an developed?

If you accept a child or an adult nether your care, you lot may inquire for a postponement or excuse from jury service. Read your summons advisedly or contact your local jury role. If you are the mother who is breastfeeding a child, you may request a postponement for up to one twelvemonth by filling out the summons response form.

What practise I practice if I need special accommodations?

If yous need certain accommodations such every bit assistance with a wheelchair, hearing amplification, or special seating, contact your local jury role correct away. Permit them know what yous volition need. If they cannot reasonably accommodate you, you may request to be excused from jury service.

Why practice jurors seem to wait around so much?

The guess and court staff works to reduce the time prospective jurors spend waiting for assignment. The court asks for your patience and suggests that you bring a volume or other reading cloth to occupy your time while waiting. The estimate and courtroom staff volition explicate delays when possible.

Is my privacy protected during and after the trial?

The judge will take your privacy into consideration when making decisions well-nigh the case. The estimate must balance the requirement in the federal Constitution that guarantees people a public and speedy trial against the concerns jurors may have virtually privacy. If y'all have questions well-nigh your privacy, delight let the judge know. If a fellow 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. This type of contact is inappropriate during a trial. After the trial is over, the media and parties to the case may be able to contact you, only you lot do not have to talk to them. Call the judge in your example if you feel harassed.

What happens afterward the verdict?

One time the verdict is read in courtroom past the clerk, the members of the jury may be polled and asked how they voted. Jurors are given proof of their service and often certificates of appreciation or thank-you letters and so are released from jury service. Some jurors find information technology is helpful to give the judge and attorneys feedback about the trial. Sometimes jurors fifty-fifty commutation phone numbers in order to discuss aspects of the case with other people who shared the same experience. If y'all exercise not wish to be contacted after the trial, let the judge know.

After long and stressful trials, some jurors may feel disoriented. Some jurors may also demand to talk to a professional most feelings that the trial may have brought up. The National Centre for Land Courts (NCSC) publishes a manual titledThrough the Eyes of the Juror: A Manual for Addressing Juror Stress. The NCSC can be contacted at 800-877-1233.

What if I am called as a grand juror?

The m jury is different from a trial jury (known as a petit jury). The terms and purposes of service for each are different and are defined in department 888 of the Penal Code. People called for one thousand jury duty should contact the courtroom that has summoned them with specific questions. Additional information can be found through the California Grand Jurors Association.

How do I apply for a job in jury management with my local court or the country judicial branch?

The California Judicial Branch offers diverse career opportunities in a variety of fields including jury management, as well as court operations, finance, information engineering science, legal, facilitates, authoritative back up, and more. Please click on the "careers" link at the bottom of our website.

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Source: https://www.courts.ca.gov/juryservice.htm?print=1