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.
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.
Please see the California Code Of Civil Procedure Section 481.200 to find out if your employer falls in this category. For more general information see California Code Of Civil Procedure Section 215.
If you have recieved 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 canclled, you do not have to appear.
Local Number:
530-283-6440
Toll Free Number:
888-229-0990
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:
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.
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