Jury Frequently Asked questions
How Am I Selected for Jury Duty?
Your name was randomly selected by a computer system that draws juror names
from source lists provided by several D.C. government agencies: Board of
Elections, Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Tax and Revenue.
The Court then mails you a juror summons and questionnaire form to be completed
and returned.
What Types of Cases Will Jurors Serve?
Within the Federal Court, both civil and criminal cases are tried. Some examples
of civil cases include contract disputes, civil rights, motor vehicle accidents,
freedom of information and employment disputes. Criminal cases involve a party
(or parties) who have been accused of violating federal law and who have been
indicted by the grand jury. Due to the location of this district court in Washington,
D.C., many of the cases tried here are of national interest to the American people.
Who Is Considered “Qualified” for Jury Service?
A person must be a citizen of the United States who resides in the District of
Columbia and is at least 18 years of age. The citizen must be able to read, write,
speak and understand the English language.
Who Is “Not Qualified” for Jury Service?
People who have pending felony criminal charges punishable by more than one
year in prison, have been convicted of a felony without having their civil rights
restored, or have a permanent physical or mental disability that would prevent jury
service may not serve as a juror. Individuals’ who are exempt from service are
full-time military, police, firefighters, and elected public officials.
What Happens if I Fail to Report for Jury Service?
If you are unable to report for jury service or require an excuse for undue hardship,
you must submit an excuse in writing on the back of the questionnaire. If you are
not excused and fail to report for jury service, the Court may issue an order to the
United States Marshal Service to have you brought before a judge for a show cause
hearing. Any person who fails to show good cause for noncompliance with a
summons may be fined and/or imprisoned, or both.
How Long is My Term of Service?
The U.S. District Court has two types of juries: petit and grand juries. The
summons that you receive from the court will identify either petit juror or grand
juror. Petit jurors are on call for two weeks. The average petit juror serves
approximately 3 to 6 days during that 2-week term. The time of service for a
grand jury is generally 18 months. The grand juror actually serves approximately 8
days a month.
Can I Be Deferred or Excused from Jury Service?
After you have completed the questionnaire, you may request to be deferred or
excused in the remark’s section on the back of the form or you may submit a letter.
The jury staff and/or presiding judge and counsel processes requests to be excused
or deferred. Citizens who have requested a deferral or excuse may begin calling
the automated telephone system 10 days ahead of the actual reporting date on the
summons to determine the status of the request. The number for the automated
telephone system is (202) 354-3518. Using your telephone touch-tone keypad,
type in the 9-digit number located on your summons to verify if your request has
been granted.
What Should I Do if I Receive a Summons for a Deceased Resident?
Write “deceased” on the form and indicate your relationship to the deceased, sign
the form and mail it back to the Court.
What Should I Do if I Receive a Summons for a Relative Who Is Physically or
Mentally Disabled?
Fill out the form for the relative and sign the individual’s name in the appropriate
location and then sign your name below. In the remark’s section, write an
explanation why it was necessary for you to complete the form for that relative.
Will I Be Compensated for Jury Duty?
Non-government employees are paid $40.00 per day of service. Jurors who are
employed by the Federal or District of Columbia Government will continue to
receive their regular paychecks. All jurors will receive a transportation allowance
of $7.00 per day.
Will I have to Pay Taxes on Jury Duty Fees?
All jury attendance fees must be reported as income for tax purposes and the Court
will only issue an IRS Form 1099 for those jurors who earn more than $600 in
attendance fees. However, you do not need to report the travel allowance as
income.
How Do I Find Out the Dates and Times for Reporting to Jury Duty?
After submitting your questionnaire, you are required to call the automated phone
system after 5:00 p.m. on the evening before your first reporting date. The
automated phone system will ask you to punch in the nine-digit number located
above your name and address on the summons. If you do not have a touch-tone
telephone, please call the Jury Office at (202) 354-3360 for instructions at 8:00
a.m. on the next business day. If you are required to report, the automated
telephone will announce your reporting time. If you are not required to report for
the next day, the recording will instruct you to call again at a specified time.
What Should I Bring with Me When I Report for Jury Duty?
Please bring your jury summons with you when you report to the Jury Office, and a
photo ID to enter the building.
What Can I Bring?
You may bring your lunch, books, magazines, study materials, and laptop
computers. Laptop computers, cell phones, and beepers are permitted in the
building. However, Court Security Officers will screen such equipment through
the magnetometer prior to entering the building. All electronic equipment must be
turned off in the courtrooms.
Are There Restrictions Regarding What May Be Brought into the
Courthouse?
The Courthouse has restrictions on the types of items that are allowed to be
brought into the building. Items such as pocket knives, pepper spray, etc. will be
confiscated and returned when you leave for the day.
Is There a Dress Code?
Jurors are expected to dress in a manner that is respectful to the formality of the
court proceedings. Denim jeans, shorts, tee shirts, athletic wear, and hats are not
appropriate. Since the courtrooms can be cool, you may want to bring a sweater or
light jacket.
Does the court provide Lunch?
The court provides lunch only during jury deliberations. Otherwise, you should
bring your lunch with you or buy your lunch in the cafeteria on the first floor of the
Annex. The Jury Lounge has a microwave and refrigerator available for jurors to
use.
What Should I Do in Case of a Family Emergency?
If you cannot report for jury duty due to a family emergency or your family needs
to reach you due to an emergency, please call the Jury Office at (202) 354-3360.