No matter how or when this occurs, do not feel slighted or attempt to guess what is being discussed. Generally, the attorneys and judge are discussing legal matters about the case, covering sensitive matters beforehand to minimize the possibility of a mistrial, or clarifying issues that could lead to an appeal and possible retrial.
Sometimes, the parties reach a settlement during these conferences. While it may seem that time is being wasted, these conferences often avoid longer trials or any trial at all, which saves juror and court time, and considerable public expense. After the attorneys have presented the evidence, they make closing arguments. When testimony is completed, the judge will review the laws that apply to the case. This is important information because it provides you with direction about how you must apply the law to the facts.
Please listen carefully. Remember that you are governed by the law as the judge explains it to you. Do not attempt to change it or ignore it, even if you disagree with the law. You and the judge are under oath to apply the laws of the state accurately and fairly.
When closing arguments are completed and the judge gives the jury instructions about the laws to consider in the case, the jury will be excused to the jury room to deliberate or discuss the case.
Jurors may choose a foreperson by ballot or by verbally nominating someone. The foreperson makes sure that each juror has a chance to participate in deliberations and that the jury discusses the issues completely while making its decision. In turn, each juror should listen to and consider the views of other jurors. Understand that your opinion may change during deliberations, but do not feel obligated to change your mind unless you are convinced it is the right thing to do.
In the end, your final vote should represent your own opinion. You must base your decisions about the case facts on the evidence presented during trial. Also, consider the arguments of the attorneys if you feel they were fair and reasonable. And, of course, consider the laws explained to you by the judge.
While you will not be given a transcript of the proceedings, you may take notes during the trial. In a criminal case, all jurors must agree on the verdict. In a civil case, Iowa law says that if all jurors cannot agree on a verdict within six hours, then it is only necessary that a certain number of jurors agree, as the judge will instruct you. Your findings on questions of fact are almost always final. Very seldom is a verdict set aside. Therefore, it is important that you listen carefully to the judge, witnesses and attorneys, deliberate calmly and fairly, and make the best decision you can.
Iowans have been targeted by phone and email with fines and prosecution for failing to comply with jury service in federal or state courts. Jury service scam calls frequently target senior citizens. Recipients are pressured to provide confidential data or money. These calls and emails are fraudulent and are not connected with the U. If you have received an email or phone call asking you to provide personal information or send payment to avoid arrest or other penalty, it is a scam.
If you miss jury service, the court will never ask a law enforcement officer to collect a fine from you. Skip to main content. Responsibilities of the Judge and Jury In order for our court system to work properly, judges and jurors must consider the cases before them in a way that is thoughtful, involves sound judgment, is impartial and fair, and shows integrity.
Types of Cases Juries are called to hear two types of cases: civil and criminal. In a criminal case, jurors decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. How was I selected for jury service? Why must I serve? What happens if I do not serve? What are the qualifications for jury service? Who can be excused from jury service? May I postpone my jury service? How long does jury service last?
What if I need special accommodations? Will I be paid for my jury service? Do I get reimbursed for childcare while serving as a juror? Is jury pay taxable? Does my employer have to let me leave work to serve? Does my employer have to pay me while I serve? I am self-employed and am not getting paid. Do I still have to serve? What if this time poses a hardship for me?
I am a student and in class during the time that I am summoned for jury service. What should I do? I am a student and have received a summons to report for jury duty during the school year.
Does that disqualify me from jury service? I am a seasonal worker. May I serve during my downtime? Do I get a verification of jury service for my employer? What if I fail to appear for jury service? Back to Top Why must I serve? Back to Top What are the qualifications for jury service? A prospective juror must: Be a citizen of the United States Be a resident of the county in which they were summoned Be eighteen years of age or older. Be able to understand the English language in a written, spoken or manually signed mode Be able to receive and evaluate information such that the person is capable of rendering satisfactory juror service Not have served as a grand or petit trial juror within the past 24 months Back to Top Who can be excused from jury service?
Back to Top May I postpone my jury service? Back to Top How long does jury service last? Back to Top What if I need special accommodations? Back to Top Will I be paid for my jury service?
Back to Top Do I get reimbursed for childcare while serving as a juror? Back to Top Is jury pay taxable? Back to Top Does my employer have to let me leave work to serve? Back to Top Does my employer have to pay me while I serve? Back to Top I am self-employed and will not get paid while serving.
Being self-employed does not excuse you from jury service. Back to Top What if this time poses a hardship for me? Back to Top I am a student and have received a jury summons to report for jury duty during the school year. Back to Top I am a student and in class during the time that I am summoned for jury service. Back to Top I am a seasonal worker. Back to Top Do I get a verification of jury service for my employer?
Back to Top What if I fail to appear for jury service? If you received a juror summons and failed to appear, you can be fined, incarcerated, or both.
Please note that your obligation to report and serve remains until you have been formally excused. You are responsible for verifying that you have been formally excused by the Court. To verify you were excused and do not need to report for jury service, you should:. The length of trials vary, but on average, trials last approximately one week. During the jury selection process the judge will provide an estimated duration of the trial based on their experience. If the trial duration causes any personal hardships for you, please inform the judge of your concerns during the jury selection process.
In some cases, you may receive a one-time deferral and instead serve during a future month. Even if deferred, you will still be required to appear at a later date. You can receive reporting instructions by either calling the Jury Information Line at , or by checking My Reporting Status from our website. Either way, you will need your nine-digit participant number and zip code. After check in, you will be directed to a courtroom.
Once all jurors arrive, the judge will inform you about the case, the parties involved, and will swear you in for duty. After swearing in, a process called voir dire will begin. This is a process where the judge and attorneys will ask questions to you and other members of the jury panel so that they can make sure the final jurors will be fair and impartial. Questions may include details about your profession, prior jury service, knowledge of the case or defendant s , personal interests in the outcome of the trial, or about your opinions or experiences.
This selection process will vary depending on the case. Generally, jury selection begins at approximately a. If you are not selected for jury duty you will be released for the day but will need to continue calling the Jury Information Line each week until your designated term is over.
If you are selected for jury duty, the trial will begin and the judge will provide additional instructions for you. A petit jury is what you traditionally think of when serving on a jury. This form is used to decide facts in civil and criminal trials. The petit jury listens to evidence and arguments presented by both parties during a trial and returns a verdict.
A grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but instead whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed. Address Ralph M. The Court must excuse you if: You are 70 years or older, and ask to be excused, the Court must excuse you from jury service. If you want to serve as a juror, you may serve. If you are a woman breast-feeding a child, and ask to be excused, the court must excuse you from jury service.
Other reasons you may be excused or deferred: In addition, if you have served on jury duty in a state or federal court in Oregon within the last 24 months, reply by marking the appropriate box on the enclosed postcard and you will be excused.
If you have a medical condition and document this with a written statement from your doctor, your request to be excused will be granted. If you are a full-time student, you may request to be deferred to a time when you are not attending school.
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