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INFORMATION FOR TRIAL JURORS When a jury summons is received in the mail it is often viewed as an unwelcome disruption in daily routines. in fact the selection for jury duty ia a unique opportunity for direct involvement in your government and provides an opportunity for each of us to contribute to he well being of the community. Jurors perform a vital role in the American system of justice. Jurors must be men and women possessed of sound judgment, honesty and a sense of fairness. In Georgia a juror must be a resident of the county, at least 18 years of age, not suffering from mental illness or mental retardation, or a convicted felon whose civil rights have not been restored. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING JURY SERVICE
It is within the discretion of the judge or his designee to defer attendance for jury duty. You must show good cause for excusal in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the courts. Full time students taking classes or exams may be excused. A primary care giver of a child under 4 years of age may be excused after presenting an affidavit. Persons who are 70 years of age or older may request their name be removed from the jury list. (Affidavits are available in the judge's offices.) If you have a medical problem, you must submit a doctor's excuse. The forms above are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. To view these files, you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Get Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ here. How long will I have to serve? Generally jurors serve for one week. Jurors selected for Grand Jury in Laurens County meet once a month for six months. Grand jurors in Johnson, Treutlen and Twiggs Counties meet less frequently. Yes. The Board of Commissioners for each county is responsible for setting the payment for jurors. By law, the daily rate is not less than $5.00 and not more than $50.00. What if I do not live in the county anymore? If you are not a resident of the county summoning you for jury duty, you should submit some proof of your current residence. You must be a resident of the county to serve as a juror in that court. Please use good judgment and report for jury duty properly dressed. Shorts, mini-skirts, tee shirts, tank tops are inappropriate attire. What if I do not appear for jury duty? If a person fails to appear for jury duty without being excused, then he or she is subject to being escorted by a Deputy Sheriff to court to show cause as to why he or she shall not be found in contempt. Georgia law provides punishment of a fine not to exceed $500 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 20 days. The Judge will work with you if there is a problem, but your cooperation is needed and appreciated. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JURY DUTY By court order the Administrative Assisstant for the presiding Superior Court Judge is authorized to assist jurors with their request for deferral or excuse from jury duty. The telephone number and address of the person you will need to contact is included on your juror summons. Clerk for Board of Jury Commissioner (clerk of court) |
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