Welcome to jury service in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. We hope you will find your term of jury service an interesting and satisfying experience. Serving as a juror is a fundamental obligation we all share as citizens of the United States. Only by having persons like yourself participate in the process can we ensure that all persons in the federal court will be afforded the constitutional right to have their case heard by a jury of their peers. We appreciate your willingness to accept this responsibility. We will more fully explain your duties as a juror when you appear for service. This page will answer questions of a more immediate nature.

HOW WAS MY NAME SELECTED? Your name was randomly selected from the voter registration list of your county. (The U.S. District Court summons jurors from 3 counties in Northern Ohio to serve in Youngstown.) You were then mailed a qualification form to complete. On the basis of your answers to the questions on that form, you were found to be qualified to serve and were again randomly selected to be summoned as a prospective juror.

HOW LONG WILL I SERVE? Prospective jurors are subject to on-call service for a period of no longer than thirty (30) days or service on one trial, absent exceptional circumstances. An average trial lasts 3-5 days, but some may last longer. Court is usually in session from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

WHEN SHOULD I REPORT FOR JURY DUTY? In the near future, you will receive a "Notice to Report," instructing you to report on a certain day and time and assigning you to a jury group. The date on the first Notice to Report that you receive will begin your 30-day service term. On rare occasions, you may be telephoned by the jury clerk with instructions to report. The Notice to Report will have instructions about calling our automated message before reporting.  Sometimes the trial for which you have been called will settle or be rescheduled. When this occurs, your jury group will receive a recorded message to either: (a) not report, or (b) report on a different date.

HOW DO I GET TO THE COURT HOUSE? We are located at in the Thomas D. Lambros Federal Building and U.S. Court House at 125 Market Street in downtown Youngstown. Directions and nearby parking lots. You will also be sent an area parking list with your Notice to Report for Jury Duty. Do NOT park on the street or at a parking meter.

WHERE DO I REPORT FOR JURY DUTY? After entering through the court’s security screening station (where you may be asked for a photo i.d.), please report to the Jury Assembly Area on the third floor (Room 337) each morning of your jury service. You may be sent to a courtroom for juror selection. If you are selected to serve on a jury for a trial, the Judge will give you further instructions. If you are not selected, you will return to the Jury Assembly Area and await instructions from the jury clerk.

WILL I HAVE TO STAY OVERNIGHT? It is very rare for a jury to have to remain overnight. If this should happen, the government will pay all expenses for food and lodging. If you live more than sixty (60) miles from the court house, you are eligible for reimbursement of overnight accommodations, if you wish to stay overnight. Please telephone the jury department for specific details after you receive your Notice to Report. Nearby Hotels

WHAT IS PROPER COURT ATTIRE? - In deference to the Court, please dress neatly. Business attire is required.

WILL I RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR JURY SERVICE? You will receive a $40.00 attendance fee and 55 cents per mile for travel to the court house and return home, plus any necessary tolls. Your checks will be mailed to you within two weeks of your service.

Taxability of Attendance Fees: At the end of the tax year, an IRS Form 1099 will be sent to those jurors who have received $600 or more in attendance fees. This form will be received by January 31. Questions regarding taxability of attendance fees should be referred to a qualified tax advisor.

WILL I RECEIVE DOCUMENTATION OF MY SERVICE?  You will receive an attendance certificate for the days that you report for jury service.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER OR EMPLOYMENT - Any such changes should be reported to the Jury Department immediately.

EXCUSES - Due to the short term of service, only requests for excuses because of extreme hardship will be considered by the Court. All excuses must be submitted in writing. Do NOT wait until you receive your Notice to Appear. Upon receipt of this notice, immediately notify the Jury Department of any extreme hardship which poses a conflict with your term of jury service.  Please include the following information in your letter: the nature of the hardship, whether the request is permanent or temporary, the earliest date you will be able to serve if excused, and if the excuse is for medical reasons, a detailed note from your doctor must be included. You will receive written notice of the Court's ruling on your hardship request.

FAILURE TO REPORT: Jurors who fail to report for jury service without an approved excuse may be served a show cause order by the U. S. Marshal. Contempt penalties can be from a $100 fine to three days imprisonment, or both.

If you have additional questions regarding your service in this Court, feel free to telephone the Jury Department at
(330) 884-7420 or 1-800-409-8638.

GERI M. SMITH, CLERK OF COURT
THOMAS D. LAMBROS U.S. COURT HOUSE & FEDERAL BUILDING
125 MARKET STREET
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO   44503-1787

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