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1. How did I get selected to be a juror?

The 8th Judicial District primarily uses the list of licensed drivers provided by the state. A computer randomly selects a pool of potential jurors for each trial. If your mailing address is incorrect on the summons, it is usually because the information is incorrect on the drivers license list received from the state.

2. What if I am not a county resident?

If you are not a county resident you do not have to serve as a juror. Some people live near county borders and will receive an incorrect juror summons. Please indicate this information on your juror questionnaire and return it as requested.

3. What are the legal qualifications for jury service?

You must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, and a resident of the County from which you receive the juror summons.

You are deferred from jury service if: 

• You have been convicted of a felony within the preceding 10 years
• You are under a present adjudication of incompetency by a court
• You are currently a breast-feeding mother

If you are uncertain whether you qualify for any of the reasons listed above, you should discuss your situation with the jury clerk. If you feel you do not qualify for jury service, return the questionnaire indicating the reason.

4. Do I get paid?

You will receive $10.00 a day when you are a juror. You will be paid mileage at the state rate, if you live outside the city limits of the County seat. Reimbursement is made by the County for jury service and mileage checks.

5. What if I have a disability?

The 8th Judicial District will accommodate anyone wishing to serve as a juror. Please indicate your needs when you return the questionnaire.

6. What age disqualifies me as a juror?

While there is no law regarding age, the 8th Judicial District will usually excuse jurors over the age of 80, if requested. Please indicate your preference on the juror questionnaire.

7. How often will I have to serve?

Dickinson, Marion and Morris Counties:

Dickinson, Marion and Morris County District Courts will not require you to serve as a juror more than once in a 12-month period. However, you may be summoned to appear up to 3 times in a 12-month period if the trial you are summoned for is canceled.

Geary County:

If you are chosen to serve on a jury panel as one of the 12 jurors, the Geary County District will not require you to serve again in a 12-month period.

If the trial you were summoned to appear was canceled or if you were not chosen to serve as one of the 12 jurors, you may be summoned to appear up to 4 times in a 4-month period and will then be excused for 12 months.

8. Are parents with children at home excused from jury service?

No, there is no automatic exclusion. If we were to exclude all mothers and fathers with small children, a significant portion of the population base would be excluded from jury service. This would cause our jury pool to not truly be representative of our community. You are responsible for arranging for your own child care if you are called for jury duty.

9. Are college students required to serve?

If you are a full time college student, living a considerable distance from the city where court is held, please indicate that on your juror questionnaire. Each student requesting excused status will be reviewed on an individual basis.

10. What about missing work?

Jury service is the duty of all citizens, including employers and employees. Employers must not reprimand you for jury service. If needed, District Court will provide documentation of your attendance for your employer.

11. Can I obtain a jury service verification letter for my employer?

Please notify court personnel if you are in need of a letter verifying your jury service. The Clerk of District Court will provide these upon request.

12. What happens if I have been summoned for jury duty but I decide not to report for service?

You may be held in contempt of court and you can be fined for failing to respond to a jury service summons. We hope that you will reconsider.

The jury system is an important part of democracy in the United States. Rather than relying solely upon Judges to decide the facts in a dispute, whether civil or criminal, our judicial system relies upon a group of citizens chosen from the community to make those decisions. The jury system can only work well if jurors are chosen from a diverse cross-section of the population. We work hard to make sure that no qualified citizens of our community are excluded from jury duty, whether through self-selection (i.e., failing to show up) or otherwise.

13. What if the summons is incorrect or the person is deceased?

If the address is incorrect, please note your correct address and return to the jury clerk. We sincerely apologize if you have received a summons addressed to a family member who has died. Jury lists are compiled annually from Department of Motor Vehicle. If the summons is unopened, please write "deceased" on the outside and mark it "Return to Sender".