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FAQs: Jury FAQ Before Service

  • Can I bring my cell phone and/or laptop into the courthouse?

    Yes, but there are restrictions.  Please read the 
    Court’s policy concerning electronic equipment.    
    All items must pass security clearance.

  • What are the procedures for inclement weather or courthouse emergencies?

    In all divisions, jurors should call the Court’s emergency toll free number, 1-866-602-3219 to determine if the court will be open, closed, or have a delayed opening during times of inclement weather or during any other emergency condition that may occur.  If the message does not specifically state that the courthouse is closed or a delayed opening, then the court is open for business as usual.  This toll free number is NOT to be confused with the AJIS toll free number that all jurors must call for reporting instructions.

  • Can my family reach me in case of emergency?

    Your family may contact the Jury Office in Pittsburgh at (412) 208-7540, in Erie at (814) 464-9600, in Johnstown at (814) 533-4504 in case of an extreme emergency, and a clerk will deliver a message to you. Please have the caller specify that you are on jury duty.

  • What if I have a sudden emergency?

    It is important that jurors report when they are required to and are prompt. Absences may delay or even jeopardize trials. If jurors are faced with an emergency such as a sudden illness or a death in the family, they should follow the instructions that they were given by the court. If they are unable to do so, they should telephone the Jury Office of the appropriate division.  In addition, if there is an emergency and someone needs to contact you during your service, they may call the Jury Office at the same number and a message will be delivered to you promptly. Please have them specify that you are on jury duty.

  • If I submit a request to be excused, do I still need to complete the juror questionnaire?

    Yes.  Even if you have requested  to be excused, you must return the completed summons questionnaire or complete it online at the eJUROR link.

  • May I call or e-mail the court to be excused from jury service?

    Phone requests for excuse are not accepted, however, you may submit requests via email, mail or fax.You can also request excuse on-line electronically through eJUROR. Consult the Petit Juror Guide sent with your summons for instructions.  A decision will be made as promptly as possible. You are to check on the status of your request via the Automated Jury Information System (AJIS) at 1-866-498-8562 after 10 business days have elapsed.  The court will not mail you its decision.

  • What if I have vacations or other important events scheduled during my term?

    All requests for temporary excuse of any nature or time, (one day, one week, entire term, etc.) must be made as soon as possible and well in advance of your first day of jury service.  The court, at times, may grant a partial excuse or defer you from the entire term.  The court allows for a juror to be deferred up to two times.

  • Does my employer have to let me off for jury duty?

    Under federal law, employers must allow their employees time off for jury duty.  An employee cannot be punished in any way for serving as a juror.  Click on the link and refer to page 16 for Protection of Juror Employment AmendedJuryPlan09_0.pdf Your employer however is not required by law to pay you while you are serving.  You should check with your employer’s personnel or human resource department concerning your company’s wage policy while serving as a juror. 

  • I live so far away. Will I be reimbursed if I come the day before?

    If you have to drive more than 60 miles from your home to the courthouse you are permitted to stay overnight in a hotel or with friends or family and receive subsistence reimbursement.  If you stay overnight, you MUST be needed in court the next day and provide a valid hotel receipt.  If staying with a  friend or family, you must provide the name, address and phone number of that person.  Consult the information accompanying your summons for the subsistence rate applicable in each division.  Any allowable subsistence is paid in the same manner as explained in #26.

  • What is the Automated Jury Information System (AJIS)?

    The Automated Jury Information System (AJIS) enables the court to provide specific, last-minute recorded information to jurors concerning whether or not you need to appear the next day; there is no attendant at this number. Generally you will be instructed to call in at a specific time (see your summons information for instructions) on a specific night and the message will advise you to either report as directed,  that there has been a change in court's schedule, or to call back in again at another designated date/time. If you don't call the AJIS number and appear and were not instructed to do so, you cannot be paid attendance or expense fees and will have to go back home or to work. The number for AJIS is 1-866-498-8562. Be sure to have your participant number ready when you call. Once selected to serve as a juror on a trial, you will then not have to call AJIS every night you are serving. 
    If you experience a problem when calling AJIS, please try again, as the system circuits may be overloaded with other callers.

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