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Below are a few frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about Jury Duty in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
This information pertains to jury duty in the United States District Court (Federal Court).
If another court summoned you, please contact that court for information.The
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York summons jurors
from the following counties: New York, Bronx, Westchester,
Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess and Sullivan.
Click on a question to see the answer.
Is jury duty mandatory?
Yes. The United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial
by jury in both criminal and civil cases. Your participation as a juror
helps make that possible.
What if I receive a Juror Qualification Questionnaire?
Juror Qualification Questionnaires are sent to people randomly selected
from the voter rolls (these are not to be confused with the update
cards found at the back of the Summons to Jury Duty). The questionnaires
are used to determine who is qualified to serve jury duty. Please complete
the form, sign it, and return it in the business reply envelope. There
is a space on the back of the form if you wish to write a message.
If you claim a medical hardship you must include a doctor’s note. If
you recently served jury duty in another court, you must include a
copy of your jury certificate. If you are found to be qualified for
jury service, you will receive a Summons to Jury Duty at a later date.
How often must I serve jury duty?
Under Federal law, a person cannot be required to serve jury duty
more often than once every four (4) years. If you have served in the
United States District Court or a New York State Court within the last
four (4) years, and wish to be excused, please mail a copy of your
official jury certificate, together with our summons, in the return
envelope.
How long will I serve?
If you are selected as a juror on a case, you must serve until the
conclusion of the case, even if it is longer than the time described
below. Jurors should be prepared to remain the entire day. The Court’s
normal hours of operation are 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (8:30-5:00 in
White Plains.)
If summoned to jury duty in Manhattan, your service may be as long
as 2 weeks, from the first day you report to the courthouse.
If summoned to jury duty in White Plains, you will be on
call for approximately one month.
Why must I call the evening before I appear for jury duty?
The Court’s schedule sometimes changes at the last minute. Rather
than have you sit in the jury room all day, we may change your date
to report. It is therefore important to call the telephone number printed
on your summons on the evening (or weekend) before the summons date.
You will hear a recorded message, available 24 hours a day. The recording
may instruct you to report to the courthouse on the summons date, or
it may delay your date to report.
Can I get a postponement or permanent excuse?
If you would like to postpone your jury service to a more convenient
time, use the return envelope to mail the summons and a
brief note indicating when you can serve within the next
six months. However, if your summons states "MUST SERVE ",
then you have exhausted your postponements and must serve.
If you are seeking to be permanently excused, mail the summons, the
completed update card, a full note of explanation and any supporting
documentation, such as a doctor’s note, certificate of prior jury service
or proof of a new address (yellow postal forwarding sticker, copy of
a new drivers license or utility bill).
Due to the large volume of mail, you will not receive a reply to your
letter and you do not have to appear on the date of the summons. If
your request is denied or the Court has any further questions, you
will be contacted at a later date by mail.
If you receive a postponement or permanent excuse on the day you report
for jury duty, you will not be paid for your attendance or travel.
Why must I serve in New York City?
While jurors from Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties may be
summoned to either New York City or White Plains, the majority of jurors
are randomly selected for jury service in New York City. The New York
City court is ten times the size of the White Plains Federal court
and has a greater need for jurors. Transfers to the White Plains court
will not be granted. Jurors are welcome to bring an escort to the New
York City courthouse where a large waiting room is available.
May I transfer my jury service to either the White Plains or the Manhattan
courthouse?
No, there is no transfer of jury service. You must report to the Courthouse
that summoned you.
Will I be paid for my jury service?
The U.S. District Court will pay each juror an attendance fee of $40
per day plus a travel fee of 40.5 cents per mile, paid round trip,
to the juror’s home town. The payment will be in the form of a check
and mailed to the home address. The travel payment will cover the costs
of public transportation, and you do not need to submit receipts. However,
jurors should know their employer’s policy regarding payroll and jury
service. Federal employees, instead of the attendance fee, will receive
their regular pay. The attendance payment is taxable income and should
be declared. The travel payment is not taxable. Jurors who earn over
$600 in attendance income in one calendar year will receive a 1099
Form.
What if I drive my car to jury duty?
If you live outside New York City and drive your car, either to your
local train station or to the courthouse, the Court will pay your parking
and toll costs, over and above the mileage fee. The Court does not
own a parking lot for jurors. Park in a private or municipal parking
lot. Receipts are required for reimbursement of parking and toll costs
except where using a parking meter or EZ-PASS.
How can I get travel directions to the courthouse?
Select the link for travel directions to the NYC or White Plains Courthouses.
Is there a dress code?
While no formal dress code exists, jurors are requested to dress in
a manner respectful to the Court. You will have to pass through a metal
detector each time you enter the courthouse. Please leave excess metal
and jewelry at home to speed your entry.
Can I bring my cellular telephone, blackberry, tape recorder, camera,
beeper or computer?
Cellular telephones, blackberries, tape recorders and cameras are
prohibited inside the courthouse and will be checked at the door. Computers,
and beepers set on silent mode are permitted. Public telephones are
available throughout the courthouse.
How can I get proof of my jury service?
When you have completed your jury service, the Court will automatically
mail a letter certifying your jury service to your home address. The
letter will list only the days you were present in the courthouse and
it should arrive within two weeks. (Please note your juror’s check
will not be enclosed in this letter.) Once you have served, you are
exempt from jury service in any other court for at least the next four
years. Keep the original letter as it is the only way to prove your
jury service if you are summoned by another court.
Telephone Numbers::
To reach the jury department in New York City, dial (212)805-0179
between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.
To reach the jury department at the White Plains courthouse, dial
(914)390-4014 between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.
Jurors should not use e-mail to contact the Court.
Emergency Weather Closings:
In the event of bad weather, jurors may dial a recorded
message at (212)805-0515 or (914)390-4220 to learn
if the New York or White Plains Courts are closed. Call early in
the morning for the latest information.
To learn more about jury duty:
To learn more about how a jury is selected and what to expect during
a trial, read the Handbook For Trial
Jurors.
Finally a word of thanks...
By serving jury duty you are participating in the administration of
justice. There is no more valuable service that a citizen can perform
in support of our democratic Government than the good faith performance
of jury duty. We hope you find your jury service to be an interesting
and rewarding experience.
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