Be 18 or older. North Carolina Jury Duty Summons Frequency: A juror will be exempt for a period of 2 years from the date on which they were discharged from their prior service. A business cannot penalize a worker for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote that worker. The average trial length of service varies from two days or longer until released by the court. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail or fax. She holds a B.A. Please take any supporting documents, such as letters from your employer or doctor with you. Age: Individuals 70 years of age or older who do not wish to serve as a juror, should indicate their date of birth in a letter or on the, Hardship requests based on employment, transportation, distance to the courthouse, vacations, school schedules, or childcare are generally not considered valid grounds for excuse from jury duty. Let us know in a single click. They get reminders mailed to them approximately one week before each scheduled meeting. There are some acceptable reasons an individual can be excused from jury duty, but they must make a request with the clerk of the superior court office or the office of the chief district court judge where they will serve. . A request to be excused or deferred from jury service is printed on the back of your summons. If you are seeking excuse from a summons , you will be notified by e -mail or via the U.S. Appointments must be made via email at Mecklenburg.Magistrate.Weddings@nccourts.org. Jury duty is a civic responsibility that you do not get paid to attend. Any person summoned as a juror who has a disability that could interfere with the person's ability to serve as a juror and who wishes to be excused, deferred, or exempted may make the request without appearing in person by filing a signed statement of the ground of the request, including a brief explanation of the disability that interferes with the person's ability to serve as a juror, at any time five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear. The jurors that pass this first hurdle are asked if serving on the jury will cause them any hardships, and lawyers from both sides question potential jurors to gauge their preexisting knowledge of the case and their potential bias. You can, however, claim payment if your earnings are in any way affected by your participation. [2], North Carolina selects jurors through the use of voir dire, which permits involved parties to ask questions of potential jurors for the purpose of determining whether or not these jurors should serve on the case. North Carolina celebrates jurors all year and a special Juror Appreciation Month in July. Persons with legal custody and duty of care of a child under the age of seven and who cannot provide adequate childcare while serving as . Furthermore, employers cannot penalize individuals for attending jury duty they cannot fire or demote a worker for time spent on a jury. After questioning, the lawyers begin excusing potential jurors that they believe are not qualified, able or fit to serve. Procedures to request an excuse or deferral vary from county to county. Similarly, prospective jurors who have recently traveled in Level 3Travel Health Notice Countries should not report, unless they have been cleared by local health officials, as well as individuals experiencing symptoms should not report. Who is eligible to serve as a juror in North Carolina courts? Citizens over the age of 75 can be exempt from jury service under this age exception.. A person who is seventy-five years of age or older may file affidavit requesting an exemption from jury service and shall be permanently exempt from jury service.
