FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Read your jury questionnaire and summons carefully. If you have any questions, call your local Jury Clerk or the Clerk of Superior Court listed on your summons. This website is designed to answer general questions and may not be specific to your individual county.
JURY SELECTION:
Where does the jury commissioners obtain names of prospective jurors?
The list of names that is used to call people for jury service is created by combining the County's voter registration list and the Georgia Department of Transportation records. Names are randomly selected from that master list by a computer program or by the jury commissioners.
I have been called to serve three times in the past five years and none of my friends have ever been called. Why don't you pick some other people?
Since the selection of jurors is a random process, some people are selected more than others. If you appeared to serve as a juror but were not chosen for a trial, you are exempt from serving for 18 months. If you actually served on a jury panel for a trial, you are exempt from serving for two years. If it has been more than the stated time frames since your last service, you are required to appear for jury service again, regardless of how many times you have served in the past.
Some people would volunteer for jury service if you'd let them. Why don't you?
The jury selection process must adhere to the random selection process set out by law. Because it is random, some people who are willing to serve may never be asked, while others who are not willing to serve may be ask frequently.
I can no longer fulfill my duties as a juror. Can't you take my name from your records?
Under certain circumstances, such as permanent mental or physical disability, jurors can be permanently removed form our records. Please explain your situation in writing and return it to the Jury Office. You will be notified by mail of the decision whether or not to grant your request.
I am not a citizen of the United States but I would still like to serve as a juror. Why can't I?
The law automatically disqualifies non-citizens, convicted felons whose civil rights have not been restored, and people under 18 years of age from jury service.
JURY SERVICE:
Is jury service mandatory?
The United States Constitution and the Georgia State Constitution guarantee the right to trial by jury. All Georgia residents are obligated by state law to serve as a juror unless they:
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Are NOT a citizen; |
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Are UNDER 18 years of age; |
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Have been convicted of a felony and their civil rights have NOT been restored. |
How long will I have to serve as a juror?
Superior Court operations vary from county to county. Some counties operate on a one trial/one day system. Your length of service will depend on your counties system as well as the type of trial in which you are selected to serve. The average trial lasts for three to five days.
How late will I be at the courthouse?
The court's normal hours of operation are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Prospective jurors should make arrangements to remain the entire day. In some cases jurors will be instructed on specific hours of operation and may be required to be more flexible in scheduling. Please check with your local Jury Clerk or court administrator for specific hours of operation.
EXCUSE FROM SERVICE:
May I be excused form jury service over the phone?
NO! All excuse requests must be in writing and either mailed or faxed to the Jury Clerk or Clerk of Superior Court.
How do I request to be excused form jury service?
Prospective jurors may only be excused from jury service for extreme hardship. All request must be submitted in writing to the Jury Clerk or Clerk of Superior Court as explained on the juror questionnaire. A prospective juror may be excused if he/she:
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Has a physical or mental disability that would prevent him/her from serving. A doctor's note verifying the disability is required. |
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Must provide actual and necessary care for another and alternate arrangements are not feasible. |
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Will suffer an extreme financial burden if required to serve. |
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Is unable to read or understand the English language. |
What should I write if I want to be excused form jury service?
There is no single excuse that guarantees exemption form service. Each request is individually reviewed. Potential jurors are encouraged to complete the questionnaire truthfully, to the best of their knowledge. Failure to do so is against the law. Jury service is a citizen's civic duty, and responsibility.
I am a police officer (or attorney, teacher, doctor, victim of a crime, etc...) I know that I will not be selected to be on a jury. Why not excuse me now and save time?
Superior Court tries civil and criminal cases, both of which require juries. The random selection process prevents you form knowing in advance what trial or even what type of trial you'll be selected for. If when you get to a courtroom you're excused by the judge, you've fulfilled your obligation for jury service. But the jury staff cannot excuse you as a potential juror because of what you do for a living.
I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be Excused?
The law does not provide for an excuse from jury service for moral or religious beliefs. You are still required to appear for jury service. When you get to the courtroom, the judge will make that decision.
WORK ISSUES:
Does my employer have to pay me for serving as a juror?
No. State law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are on jury service. Many employers support the jury system and provide jury service benefits and will continue employee wages while they serve as a juror. Please check with your employer regarding your company's policy.
Can my employer prevent me from serving as a juror?
State law prohibits an employer from discharging or in any manner discriminating against an employee for taking time off to serve as a juror if the employee, prior to taking time off, fives reasonable notice to the employer of the requirement to serve as a juror.