Jury Trials

Trials allow two or more parties to have their dispute settled by a court. Some lawsuits are decided by the judge alone;
others are decided by jury.
A jury is a body of ordinary citizens sworn to make an impartial decision based on the evidence or information presented during a trial.

Jurors serve in two kinds of cases - civil and criminal. In a civil case one person or company - the plaintiff - asks the court
 to protect some right or to help recover money or property from another person or company - the defendant. In a criminal case the State of California - the plaintiff -
charges that a person - the defendant - committed a crime and asks that the defendant be fined or sent to jail or prison.

Jurors' names are selected at random from lists of registered voters and individuals who have a driver's license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

What about my regular job?

Your employer must let you off for jury duty. Employers cannot discharge an employee called for jury duty if the employee gives reasonable notice of the summons. However, employers do not have to pay for your attendance at jury duty

You will be paid by the court a Per Diem of $15.00 per day beginning with second day of jury service and 34 cents per mile, one-way only beginning on the second day as well. Jurors who are employed by a federal, state, or local government entity or by any other public entity who receive regular compensation and benefits will not be paid Per Diem.

General Information

If you have received a Jury Summons, you should call the night before the day of your service to get the status of your summons. The recorded message will confirm the date, time and place of appearance or let you know if your service is cancelled. If your service is cancelled, you do not have to appear.

Local Number:
530-283-6440
 

Toll Free Number:
888-229-0990

Do I have to serve Jury Duty?

Yes, you have to serve jury duty. The law states that inconvenience, loss of income or business closure are not reasons to be excused from jury service. You may request to be excused from jury service if any of the following apply:

• You are physically or mentally incapacitated.

• You have a personal obligation to care for a sick or aged dependent.
       Please note that this in not the same as child care, which is not a reason to be excused.

• You are peace officer under P.C. § 830.1(a) or 830.2(a).

To be excused due to physical or mental incapacitation or a care obligation you must submit a doctor's letter of verification and duration when you return your jury summons.

Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions about your jury service, please contact the Office of the Jury Commissioner at 530-283-6440 or toll free 888-229-0990, Monday through Friday. You may also submit your question in writing to the following address:

Office of the Jury Commissioner
520 Main St.
Courthouse, RM. 304
Quincy, CA 95971