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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JURY SERVICE
We welcome you to the United Stated District Court for the Southern District of Florida. By serving
jury duty you are participating in the administration of justice, and fulfilling one of the most basic
principles in a democratic society. We hope that you find your jury service a worthwhile and
interesting experience.
We have prepared the following list of questions and answers to assist you in preparing for jury
service in the Federal Court. Please feel free to ask a jury clerk if you need any help or additional
information.
Q. Is jury duty mandatory?
A. Yes. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by jury in both civil and criminal
cases. Your participation as a juror makes that possible. Penalties for failure to appear for jury
service range from a fine of $100 to three days in jail, or both.
Q. How was I selected for jury duty?
A. Your name was selected randomly from the voter registration list in your county.
Q. How much time do I have to complete the Questionnaire and mail it back to the Court?
A. You should complete and mail the Questionnaire immediately. The law requires that you
mail the completed questionnaire within 10 days, but this will allow less time for processing,
especially if you are requesting a postponement or excuse from service.
Q. The name/address on my summons is wrong. What should I do?
A. Please indicate the change on the Questionnaire and we will correct our records.
Q. How can I be excused if I cannot serve?
A. If you need to be excused or have your jury service postponed for any length of time, you
must submit your request in writing to the Jury Section, immediately. The Court will review your request and you
will receive a written response to your request for excuse. If you have not heard back from the Court
by 10 days prior to the reporting date, please call the Jury Office at (800) 865-1775.
Q. What if I do not speak English well enough to understand what is being said in court?
A. Fill out the Questionnaire, or have someone assist you, and explain the circumstances on the
back of the Questionnaire in the area labeled "Remarks". Ask the person who assisted you to sign
their name under the statement in "Remarks" on the reverse of the form.
Q. If I served jury duty recently in the County or Circuit Court, will I be excused in
Federal Court?
A. The Federal Court does not excuse persons who have served in County or Circuit Court. However, after you have served in Federal Court you will be excused from jury service in this Court for two years and you may also be excused from County Court for one year.
Q. What is the difference between Petit and Grand Jury?
A. A Petit jury is the trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The Petit jury listens to
evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A Grand jury does not appear in trial, but listens
to evidence presented by an attorney for the government and determines from the evidence if
sufficient probable cause exists for bringing formal criminal charges against an individual.
Q. How long is my term of service?
A. Petit jury service is two weeks "on call". Petit jurors are generally called in two or three
times during this period. Court is not in session for jury selections on weekends. Grand jurors
generally serve one to three days a month for 18 months.
Q. What does "on call" mean?
A. You will not be asked to report unless you are needed to participate in a jury selection. Jurors are expected to call the toll- free number listed on the summons after 5:30 p.m. the day before the term of service begins and continue to call each night for two weeks, to determine when you are required to report to the courthouse. The recording on the toll-free number will call jurors in by their summons number which is located on the upper right hand side of the summons. This does not mean that you will actually report in person at the courthouse every day, but rather, you will call in each evening for two weeks and be ready to appear as directed.
Q. When I am called to serve, what are the hours I would be expected to spend at the
courthouse?
A. Trials are usually held between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., weekdays
Q. Will I serve on civil or criminal trials?
A. This Court tries both civil and criminal cases. You may be selected for either or both.
Q. If I serve on one trial, will I be excused for the remainder of the two weeks?
A. No. You will be expected to call in for the rest of the two weeks, and may be needed on
another trial.
Q. Is there a dress code for jury service?
A. Appropriate dress, casual business attire, is required. Shorts, jeans and t-shirts are not
considered appropriate. Our courtrooms are generally very cool and you may wish to bring a sweater
or light jacket. Since you will be passing through a metal detector, please leave excess metal and
jewelry at home to speed up your entry into the building.
Q. What should I bring with me when I report for jury service?
A. Please bring your jury summons, photo identification and your parking lot stub when you report. You may also want to bring a book, magazines or study materials with you.
Q. Can I bring my cellular phone, lap top computer, tape recorder, camera or pager?
A. Jurors may not bring knives or electronic devices of any kind into the courthouse, including but not limited to: cell phones, radios, PDA's, tape recorders, computers, cameras and walkmans. However, public telephones are available throughout the courthouse for jurors' use. Additionally, P.C.'s with internet access are provided for jurors' use in the Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach jury assembly rooms.
Q. What are jurors paid for their service, and how often?
A. Jurors are paid $40 per day plus mileage to and from the Courthouse based on your zip code. Lunch is not provided. Payments are mailed to your home from the courthouse every week.
Q. Where is the Courthouse located, and where should I park?
A. A map of the Courthouse with the designated parking facilities was provided with your summons. Alternatively, in this website you can click on the appropriate location to view a map of the Courthouse area.
Q. Will the Court pay for my parking?
A. Yes. Jurors reporting to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale should bring their parking stubs to the Jury Assembly Room for validation. The designated parking in West Palm Beach and Ft. Pierce is free. Jurors reporting to the Key West Courthouse will need to complete a form for reimbursement of parking expenses.
Q. Are jurors given breaks? Are there lunch facilities available?
A. Breaks are given. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse.
The Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach courthouses also have snack bars located inside
the buildings. Jurors are also welcome to bring their own lunch.
Q. Is my employment protected while I am serving jury duty?
A. The law protects jurors' employment. Employers are prohibited from threatening or
terminating employees on account of their jury service. We encourage you to speak with your
employer as soon as possible about your upcoming jury service, so that the necessary arrangements
can be planned for in advance.
Q. What if my employer wants proof that I was serving on jury duty?
A. Certificates of Attendance are available each day in the Jury Assembly Room on request, or
the Court can provide you one on the last day of your service, covering all days you served.
Q. I have special handicap needs, who should I call?
A. Please call the number listed on the information sheet and ask for the Jury Administrator if
you need information regarding any special handicap requirements.
Q. How can my family reach me in case of an emergency?
A. Your family may call the Jury Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m., and our
staff will give you the message. The number to call is the same as on the summons, (800) 865-1775.
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