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FAQs: Jury FAQ During Service

  • Does my employer have to pay my wage while I am serving?

    Your employer 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. 

  • Will I serve on civil or criminal trials and what happens if I'm selected to serve on a trial?

    The court tries both civil and criminal cases, and it is possible that you may be selected for either type of case.  If you are selected to serve on a trial, you must follow the instructions of your trial judge or courtroom deputy.

  • If I am serving on a jury, will I get breaks?

    Yes. Your trial judge will tell you what schedule he or she expects to follow throughout the trial.

  • What if my employer wants proof that I am serving on jury duty?

    Proof of Attendance is prepared by the jury office and given to those jurors who request it. The certificate will be available before you leave the courthouse at the end of the day or at the end of your trial.  You may also print proof of attendance yourself online here.

  • What is a petit jury?

    A Petit Jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The petit jury listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict in a civil case may be a finding for the plaintiff or the defendant.  A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant involved guilty or not guilty.

  • What is a grand jury?

    A Grand Jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. The evidence is normally presented only by an attorney for the government (U. S. Attorney’s Office). The grand jury must determine from this evidence whether a person should have formal charges filed against him or her by the government. If the grand jury finds probable cause, then it will return a written statement of the charges, called an indictment. Grand jurors are on a panel of 23 jurors and generally serve one to two consecutive days per month for 18 months. Grand jury terms may be extended for 6 months if necessary.

  • What types of cases will jurors decide in federal court?

    Jurors may be called to serve on both civil and criminal trials. Examples of civil cases are contract disputes, civil rights violations, etc. Criminal trials involve a party or parties who are alleged to have violated a federal law and who have been indicted by a grand jury.