Petit Jury Term of Service
All prospective petit jurors serve “one day” or “one trial” during a two week “on call” term of service,
and must call once a week (usually on Sunday) to verify your reporting instructions. Call after 6:00 p.m.
the night before you are scheduled to report to confirm that your attendance is required. Not all jurors will need to report.
If you are a juror who lives 80 miles or more (one-way) from the courthouse, refer to Subsistence Information.
Most trials last an average of 4-5 days. However, the court requires you to be available for 10 business days.
The judge will explain to you the days and times you must report for service. If by the end of the day you are NOT selected to be a juror, your service will be completed.
If you ARE selected as a juror, your service will be completed upon the trial’s conclusion.
Grand Jury Term of Service
A grand jury has 23 members, and meets once a week, always on the same weekday. (Grand juries do not meet on weekends or Mondays.)
The average workday is 5 hours. Absences for medical appointments, vacations, graduations, etc. may be accommodated, but 16 members must be present for the grand jury to conduct business.
A grand jury designated meet for an 18-month term, may be extended 6 months.
Selection Procedures
Based on the number of grand juries to be selected, the Court will direct a sufficient number of prospective grand jurors to report for service. These prospective jurors will have an opportunity to appear before a United States District Judge and request to be excused or have their jury service postponed because of business, employment, or financial hardship. From the prospective jurors who report and are not excused or postponed, the Jury Clerk will use a computer program to randomly select 23 members and alternates for each grand jury panel.
If you are not selected as a grand jury member or alternate, you will be informed by the court your status. Your service is then considered completed for the day, and you are entitled to receive payment.