Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

WHAT ARE THE CLERK'S OFFICE HOURS?
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (except for legal holidays)

WHAT IS NEEDED TO FILE A CIVIL COMPLAINT?
(1) An original copy of the signed complaint.
(2) A completed JS-44 Civil Cover Sheet, as modified by the Western District of Pennsylvania.
(3) A $350 Filing Fee.

WHAT COUNTIES ARE INCLUDED IN EACH DIVISION FOR PURPOSES OF DISTRICT COURT CASE ASSIGNMENT, VENUE AND PETIT JURY SERVICE?
(click icon)

HOW MANY COPIES OF A PLEADING DO I NEED TO FILE?
Only the original copy.

WHAT ARE THE WITNESS FEES FOR A COURT HEARING, TRIAL OR DEPOSITION?
The witness attendance fee if $40.00 per day plus a mileage fee of 44.5 cents per mile, round trip, for each day of attendance.  [See 28 U.S.C. § 1821(b) and (c)(2)]

WHAT IF THE CASE FILE I AM INTERESTED IN HAS BEEN ARCHIVED?
To retrieve District Court files from the Regional Archives & Records Center in Philadelphia there is a $45.00 retrieval fee per file.  The fee must be paid in advance.  Please provide the Clerk's Office with the case number and case caption when presenting the retrieval fee. The files are generally sent to the Clerk's Office within five to seven days of receipt of the retrieval fee and are held for a prearranged time period.

WHERE DO I FIND THE POST JUDGMENT INTEREST RATES?
   (click icon) For rate 1962 or later. Table format.

  (click icon) For rates 1994 or later. Some explanation.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BAR OF THIS COURT?
In order to be admitted generally to the bar of the Western District of Pennsylvania, one must obtain a movant who is admitted to practice before the Western District of Pennsylvania.  The admittee and movant must be present in court. The movant will orally move your admission before a United States District Judge.  There is a $160.00 admission fee.  Those who want to be admitted generally must call (412) 208-7500 to make an appointment.
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FINANCE

HOW DO I GET A SURETY BOND RELEASED?
This is between the surety company and the attorney, the court does not get involved. Counsel might mail a copy of the Stipulation for Dismissal, sometime this will satisfy a surety company. A Certificate of Satisfaction or a Judgment Roll (ordered through the intake section) may need to be mailed to the surety company to release the bond. A motion with a proposed order may be filed - stating the case is closed and the surety company is no longer liable. The attorney must first find out what the surety company requirements are before they will release a bond.

WHAT IS THE PER DIEM AND MILEAGE RATE FOR A WITNESS?
The U.S. Marshal Service pays witness fees, not the Clerk's Office.

JURY

What Amount Will I Get Paid?
Each Jurors is paid $40.00 per day for attendance plus 44.5 cents per mile (round trip), regardless of the mode of transportation. Subsistence is paid to those who require overnight stay (60 miles one way). Subsistence amount varies depending upon division.

What Is The Length Of Jury Service For A Petit Jury?
Erie Division
Length of term varies for being on call from four weeks to six Weeks

Pittsburgh Division
Two Weeks or longer if needed

Johnstown Division
Length of term varies for being on call from three weeks to four weeks

What Is The Length Of Jury Service For A Grand Jury?
A Term of Two to Three consecutive days a month for Eighteen Months.

Source List: Where Does The Court Obtain The Prospective Juror Names?
The names are randomly selected from a Master Jury Wheel (refilled every two years). The names in this Master Jury Wheel are obtained from the Voter Registration Records of the Twenty Five Counties within the jurisdiction of the Western District of Pennsylvania. Petit and Grand Jurors are drawn from the counties within their respective divisions.

What if my employer harasses me for serving as a juror?
It is unlawful for any employer to discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce any permanent employee for attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with jury service. The jury clerks can provide, upon request, a certificate showing any jurors attendance for those jurors whose employers require proof of service.

How Do I Get Notified for appearance of service?
Unless a summons has instructions that a juror is to appear on a particular date and time, that juror will be expected to call the Voice Mail Recording each day during the panel term after 5 p.m. for specific information concerning the time to appear the next working day. The Voice Mail Recording telephone number will appear on your summons and on the official notice. A jurors GREEN number, on the official notice at the top right hand corner, will be the number that jurors use to identify themselves for service on the Voice Mail Recording.

What Kinds Of Trials Are Heard?
Civil Trials: 6 person minimum

Criminal Trials: 12 person minimum plus alternates]

Is A Dress Code Established for jury service?
Although we have no prescribed dress code, we ask that jurors not wear t-shirts, tank tops, halter tops or shorts while on jury duty.

Where Is The Courthouse Located?
A map identifying the location of the Federal Courthouse is provided in the Petit Juror Guide. The actual name of the building which a juror will be appearing is The Old Post Office and Courthouse building.

Where Do I Park?
A parking sheet is provided in the packet to identify the best and closest places to park for jury duty.

What Happens If I Do Not Appear?
Any person summoned pursuant to subsection (a) of this section who fails to appear as directed shall be ordered by the District Court forthwith to appear and show case for his/her failure to comply with the summons. Any person who fails to appear pursuant to such order or who fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons may be fined not more than $100.00 or imprisoned not more than three days or both. Any person who willfully misrepresents a material fact on a juror qualification form for the purpose of avoiding or securing service as a juror may be fined not more than $100.00. Or imprisoned not more than three days or both (28 USC 1864 (b))

Is a rule instituted for employers to pay the difference of the jurors salary?
No rule exists that employers must pay the difference of the jurors salary!

Remember: Jury service is an obligation and a privilege. Your fellow citizens need your assistance. Most individuals who have actually served on a jury agree that it is a very informative and rewarding experience.

Further Questions: If you have any other questions or concerns please contact Terri Morder

Jury Administration Clerk at (412) 208-7541 Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.