Jurors' Office - Frequently Asked Questions
I have a problem serving beyond
one day. What should I do?
Contact the jury staff at (202) 879-4604 if you have
a scheduling conflict, travel plans, medical appointment,
illness, or other matter that would prevent you from serving
on a trial. Do not assume that you will be here for only one
day; you may be selected for a trial. Other reasons that you
feel would prevent you from serving, such as religious beliefs
or strong personal convictions, should be explained to the
judge if you are called to a courtroom. See Deferrals.
If you experience an emergency or last-minute scheduling conflict on the day of your scheduled service, talk to one of the Jurors’ Office staff at the front counter. Rather than assign you to a courtroom, our jury staff can excuse you for that day and reschedule your service for a better time. We do not recommend that you wait until you are seated in a courtroom for the voir dire process -- the process by which jurors are selected -- to discuss scheduling conflicts that might impede your serving on a trial. Upon learning of a scheduling conflict, many judges will excuse you from that particular trial, but will order you to reschedule your service for a more opportune time.
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I received a summons for jury
duty in the Superior Court, but I've misplaced it. What
should I do?
If you've misplaced your jury summons and are
unsure of your reporting date, call the Jurors' Office
at (202) 879-4604. The Jurors' Office staff can provide
you with your juror badge number, the date you are expected
to report, and your reporting time and location. If you've
misplaced the summons, but know what date you are to serve
and where our Courthouse is located, simply report for service
with your driver's license or some other valid form
of identification.
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I can't serve on the
summons date and want to serve at a later time. Can I select
the new date, or will the Court choose a date for me?
The Superior Court's flexible deferral system
allows you to select a date to serve that is up to 90 days
away from the original date on your summons. The day of the week that you select must be the same day of the week on which you were originally summoned. For example, if your original summons date falls on a Tuesday, the deferral date you select must also be a Tuesday. Most trials last
3-5 days, so keep this in mind when choosing a date to begin
your service. The Court does not enroll new jurors on Fridays
or federal holidays. See Deferrals.
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I want to defer my service to a later time, but it takes too long to reach a "live person" by phone. Is there another way to defer my service?
The Court offers online deferrals at www.dccourts.gov/jurorservices that allow you to defer your service to a new date. Be sure to complete the juror qualification form online before deferring your service. You can also defer your service to a new date via the Automated Juror Deferral Line (202-879-4604) by using your telephone keypad. Have your bar-coded juror number, your calendar, and a pen available. Select the "obtain deferral information" option from the main menu, and then select the option to use the automated deferral line. This option is available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. See Deferrals.
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I deferred my jury service
until a later date. Will I receive a new summons?
You will receive a reminder of your new reporting
date, not a new summons. Your juror badge number will not
change. You should keep the original summons and bring it
with you on the new date. Your original summons contains the
actual badge you will be required to wear during your service.
When you report for service, the badge will be detached from
the original summons and placed in a holder that you can attach
to your clothing.
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I deferred my service to a
later time, but I never received a confirmation notice of
the new date. Do I still need to report?
Yes, you are still expected to report. Although the
Court will send you a reminder of your deferral date, it is
your responsibility to report on the deferred date, whether
or not confirmation of the deferral reaches you by mail. We
recommend that once you arrange a deferral date with our staff,
you jot down that date in your calendar, or set yourself a
reminder of the new service date in your electronic scheduler.
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I deferred my service to a
later date. Do I still need to mail in the juror qualification
form?
Yes, you should complete and return the juror qualification form as soon as you receive it, even if you deferred your jury service to a later time. Complete the form online at www.dccourts.gov/jurorservices, mail the completed form to us in the postage-paid summons packet, or fax it to us at (202) 879-0012. Returning your juror qualification form ahead of time will facilitate your check-in for jury service. When you don't return the questionnaire, jury staff will need you to complete your form upon arrival. This can result in longer wait times for you and other jurors standing in line behind you. See Completing the Juror Qualification Form.
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How long will I be at the
courthouse today?
You can expect to be in the Jurors' Lounge until
5 p.m., possibly later if you are in a courtroom for the selection
process. Often, a panel selection may continue for a second
day, so please plan accordingly.
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I recently moved out of the
District, but I haven't had a chance to turn in my driver's
license or voter registration card. Am I still required to
serve?
No. Please contact the Jurors' Office to report
your change of address so that you can be removed from the
current jury pool and excused from service. The Court is aware
that it takes time to obtain a driver's license or other form
of identification in your new state of residence. You will
be given additional time to mail or fax proof of your new
address to our office.
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I have received a jury summons, but I am an active member of the United States military. Am I still required to serve?
If you are currently deployed or about to be deployed out of the District or out of
the country, you can be excused from service. Please contact us by telephone at
202-879-4604, by fax at 202-879-0012, or by e-mail at JurorHelp@dcsc.gov for
assistance.
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If you received the summons at a forwarding address and the
summons date has already passed, complete and return the juror
qualification form and indicate that you no longer live in
D.C. Be sure to provide your new address where indicated,
including apartment # and zip code.
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I am not a United States
citizen, but I have received a jury summons. Am I still required
to serve?
No. Complete and return the juror questionnaire.
Be sure to indicate that you are not a citizen of the United
States. Do not report for service. You will be mailed confirmation
not to report.
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I have a prior felony conviction.
Am I required to serve?
You can serve if it has been ten years since the
completion of your jail term, probation, or parole. You can
serve with a misdemeanor conviction. You cannot serve if you
have a pending criminal case. Please see D.C. Code Section
11-1906(b)(2)(B).
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I'm over 70 years old and
I really don't care to serve. Can I be excused on the basis
of age?
There is no age limit for Superior Court jurors.
Dismissing jurors solely on the basis of age could be considered
a form of discrimination. Jurors can be excused on the basis
of medical or mental infirmity, but not age.
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Why am I required to indicate my racial background on the juror qualification form?
Exclusion from jury service on account of race is prohibited by law. By collecting and maintaining statistics on jurors' racial identity, the Court can effectively monitor and enforce nondiscrimination in the selection of jurors. This question has absolutely no bearing on qualification for jury service.
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It is expensive to park
near the courthouse. Is there a parking lot nearby that offers
reasonable rates?
We generally do not recommend parking in the area, as parking rates can be as high as $15-$20 per day. Also, it is difficult to find metered parking near the Courthouse; if you do find parking on the street, you risk a parking ticket as meter enforcement is strict. We strongly recommend that you take Metro. For more information see Getting Here, call Metro at 202-637-7000, or see www.wmata.com (see RideGuide). We strongly recommend that you take
Metro. For more information
see Getting Here, call
Metro at 202-637-7000, or see www.wmata.com
(see RideGuide).
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Is there an area without televisions where I can get some work done?
Yes. The Jurors' Business Center is located to the left as you exit the Jurors' Lounge. As a courtesy, this room is equipped with carrels, a copier, and a facsimile machine. WiFi & modem access for seven (7) laptop computers is available in the Center. WIFI access is also available in the Jurors' Lounge and surrounding area.
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What should I wear?
Appropriate courtroom dress is required. Business
attire is most appropriate. Extremes in dress will cause jurors
to be sent home to change.
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Does the Court provide
child care?
Yes. The Court's
Child Care Center offers care to children of jurors at
no charge. Your child must be at least 2 years old and fully
toilet-trained. You must provide an immunization record for
your child. You will need to take your child out of the Center
for lunch.
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I may have trouble hearing
the proceedings in the courtroom. What should I do?
If you require such assistance, contact Francis X. Burton, Office
of Court Interpreting Services via relay at 202-879-1492 or by email at burtonfx@dcsc.gov. Mr. Burton can schedule an ASL, PSE or oral interpreter to accommodate you during your service. If you require an assistive listening device, real-time captioning, or some other form of accommodation for a disability, contact the Juror's Office at 202-879-4604.
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Where can I store my personal
belongings?
Lockers are located at the front of the jurors' lounge
for your convenience. The lockers cost $.50 to $.75 per one-time
use.
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Where can I get proof of
my service to take to my employer?
Obtain proof of your jury service at www.dccourts.gov/jurorservices. (Log-in and then click 'Attendance Letter’). The Court recently began operating a new automated jury management system. Software is currently being developed that will allow cash payments to be disbursed to jurors via the Juror Automated Teller payment system. Until such time, all jury fees and proof of service will be mailed at the end of each week.
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How will I be paid during
my service?
Effective October 6, 2008, all juror fees will be mailed by check to jurors at the end of each week. Proof of service is attached to the check.
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I'm a contract worker for
the government. How will I get paid?
If you are selected for a trial, you must provide
written proof that you are a contracted worker in order to
receive the $30 jury fee during your service. We recommend
that contract workers for government agencies bring this documentation
when they report for service. Documentation should be typewritten
on official letterhead, and signed by the contractor or your
immediate supervisor. For faster processing, please include
your bar-coded jury number on the document.
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My job pays my normal salary,
but it is my day off. How will I get paid?
If you are selected for a trial, present written
proof to the Jurors' Office that it is your day off from work
and you will be paid $30 for each of your days off. You can
also fax the documentation to us at 202-879-0012, Attention:
Jury Payroll. Documentation should be typewritten on official
letterhead, and signed by your payroll administrator or immediate
supervisor. Please be sure to include your bar-coded jury
number on the document for quicker processing.
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What if I am selected for
a trial and then experience an emergency that prevents me
from coming to the courthouse?
Phone the Jurors' Office at 202-879-4604 (202-879-1656
TDD) to report an unforeseeable emergency. Our staff will
connect you to the appropriate judge's chambers.
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What time is lunch?
If you are seated in the Jurors' Lounge, the lunch hour normally begins between 12:15 p.m.- 12:30 p.m.; but you should wait for the official luncheon dismissal announcement before leaving the area. If you are in a courtroom, your lunch hour will vary according to the judge.
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What if I need to take a
short break?
If no panels are being called, you can sign out at
the front counter of the Jurors' Office for a 10-15 minute
break.
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The judge excused me from
a panel selection. Can I go home?
No. You were excused from that particular trial only.
Report to the Jurors' Office to let the staff know that you
were not selected. It is likely that you will be sent to another
courtroom at some point during the day.
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Can I use my mobile phone? How about a laptop computer?
You may use a mobile phone during your service at the Court in the Atrium or the corridors; however, we encourage the use of discretion and courtesy for those around you. You are not permitted to use the phone's camera function on the premises. The use of laptop computers is also permitted. WiFi access is available in the Jurors' Business Center, the Jurors' Lounge and the surrounding area.
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Is WiFi Internet access available? How do I connect?
Yes, there are WiFi access points in the Jurors' Lounge, the Business Center, as well as in the cafeteria on the C Level. To connect using your WiFi-enabled laptop, open your web browser and you will be directed to the WiFi login page. Type in 'guest' in the user ID field and 'guest1' in the password field. After accepting the "WiFi Terms and Conditions of Use" agreement, you will be able to browse the Internet at no cost.
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Can I bring a Swiss army knife or similar type instrument into the Court building? How about a camera or recording equipment?
No. Upon entering the Courthouse, you will have to pass through security, which includes clearing a metal detector as well as an X-ray machine. Items such as Swiss Army Knives, pocketknives, scissors, metal craft needles, cameras and recording equipment are not permitted in the Courthouse. Without exception, Court Security staff will confiscate these items. Weapons will not be returned. Please note that you may bring a mobile phone into the building; however, you are not permitted to use the phone's camera function on the premises.
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I am currently serving on a trial, but the judge has recessed proceedings for the day. Will I receive my usual juror fee and travel stipend for days the trial is not in session?
No. If the trial on which you are serving is recessed for an entire day for any reason and you are currently employed, you should report to work on that day. You will not be paid by the Court for days on which the trial is in recess.
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I continue to receive jury summons at my address for an individual who no longer resides in the District of Columbia. I notified the Court of this situation previously by writing "no longer at this address" on the notice and returning it. Why does the Court continue to send jury notices for this person?
In order to remove an individual's name from the Master Jury Wheel because that person no longer resides in the District of Columbia, the Court requires the following information: the individual's name, the bar coded jury number (located in bold print on the face of the summons) and the current address, including street, unit number if applicable, city, state and zip code.
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Why am I required to put my social security number on the juror qualification form?
This information is used solely to identify and remove duplicates on the Master Jury Wheel and to produce 1099 reports for the Internal Revenue Service.
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