- HOW WAS I SELECTED FOR JURY DUTY?
- WILL I SERVE ON BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL TRIALS?
- HOW MANY DAYS WILL I HAVE TO APPEAR FOR DUTY?
- HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH DAYS TO REPORT FOR DUTY?
- WHERE SHOULD I REPORT WHEN SERVING ON A TRIAL?
- HOW MANY HOURS WILL I BE AT THE COURTHOUSE EACH DAY?
- CAN I BE LATE?
- WILL I EVER HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT?
- WHEN SHOULD I REPORT MY VACATION PLANS?
- MAY MY EMPLOYER ASK THAT I BE EXCUSED FROM JURY SERVICE?
- WHAT CAN I SHOW TO MY EMPLOYER AS PROOF OF SERVICE?
- IS THERE A DRESS CODE?
- WHAT SHOULD I DO IS THERE IS EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS?
- WILL I BE REIMBURSED FOR PARKING AND MILEAGE?
- HOW WILL I GET PAID?
- SHOULD I PAY TAXES ON MY JURY FEES?
- WILL THERE BE LONG PERIODS OF WAITING IN THE JURY LOUNGE?
- MAY I LEAVE THE JURY LOUNGE?
- MAY I SMOKE IN THE LOUNGE?
- MAY I EAT AND DRINK IN THE LOUNGE?
- CAN MY FAMILY REACH ME IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
- WHERE CAN I GO FOR LUNCH?
1. HOW WAS I SELECTED FOR JURY DUTY? [top] In the Harrisonburg Division of the Western District of Virginia, all juror names are drawn at random from voter registration lists for the counties of Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren and cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester.
2. WILL I SERVE ON BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL TRIALS? [top] This Court tries both civil and criminal cases, and it is possible that you may be selected for either or both.
3. HOW MANY DAYS WILL I HAVE TO APPEAR FOR DUTY? [top] You will be on call for six (6) months. The number of days you might be summonsed varies according to the trial schedule and number of trials for which you are selected. An average trial lasts one to three days, but some may be longer, and you may be summonsed three to five times during your term. Court is usually in session from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
4. HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH DAYS TO REPORT FOR DUTY? [top] You will receive a Notice to Report that will tell you the length of the trial, what day and time to report and when to call the answering service. You must call 1-800-416-6831 after 6:00 p.m. the evening before you are summonsed to appear to determine whether your panel is needed for the next day.
5. WHERE SHOULD I REPORT WHEN SERVING ON A TRIAL? [top] You are to report to Room 314 each day you are serving jury duty to report your one-way mileage and parking fees to the Clerk. You are to follow the instructions of the judge or his staff concerning days and times of attendance.
6. HOW MANY HOURS WILL I BE AT THE COURTHOUSE EACH DAY? [top] The number of hours will vary each day you are here. The first day the trial is to begin, you will be asked to report between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Jury selection lasts approximately three hours. Your arrival time, lunch break, and departure time will be set by the trial judge while you are serving on a trial.
7. CAN I BE LATE? [top] It is extremely important to be prompt both in the morning and after lunch. It is particularly important when serving on a trial since the entire proceeding can be delayed because of the tardiness of one juror.
8. WILL I EVER HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT? [top] Not likely. Sequestration is very rare in this district. If you live more than 100 miles one-way from the courthouse to your home, you may spend the night if you wish. The Court will reimburse your subsistence fees in addition to your attendance and parking fees.
9. WHEN SHOULD I REPORT MY VACATION PLANS? [top] As soon as your plans are definite, you must write a letter immediately and notify the Clerk of the days you plan to take vacation. Your written request must also include your name, address, and your federal identification number . If approved, these dates will be added to your jury information and you will not be summonsed during that time. Our office will mail you a confirmation letter that will let you know if your request was granted or if you need to report as directed.
10. MAY MY EMPLOYER ASK THAT I BE EXCUSED FROM JURY SERVICE? [top] No. Requests from your employer will not be considered. Employers are required by statute to allow their employees to serve and shall not "discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee's jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of the United States." Any employer who violates the provisions of that section faces very serious penalties which will be enforced through the office of the United States Attorney and the District Court.
11. WHAT CAN I SHOW TO MY EMPLOYER AS PROOF OF SERVICE? [top] The jury clerk will prepare a certificate of attendance for you to show your employer. This certificate will state the days you served and the amount of attendance fees paid.
12. IS THERE A DRESS CODE? [top] Jurors play an extremely important role in the very serious process of adjudicating cases. It demeans the process and detracts from the decorum of court proceedings if jurors fail to dress appropriately. Jurors are, therefore, expected to dress in a manner reflective of the formality of the court proceedings.
13. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THERE IS EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS? [top] In case of snow or other extreme weather conditions, you should call our answering service 1-800-416-6831 before leaving your home to attend court. If there is no message on the answering service, you should assume that court will be in session and you should report for jury service as directed.
14. WILL I BE REIMBURSED FOR PARKING AND MILEAGE? [top] Yes. You will receive $.405 cents per mile round trip from your home to the courthouse. Please calculate your round trip mileage from your home to the courthouse and submit this to the jury clerk when you report for jury duty.
15. HOW WILL I GET PAID? [top] Each day you must report to Room 314 to record your attendance. If you are serving on a trial, you must report each day to Room 314 before you go to the courtroom. You will be paid approximately ten working days after the completion of the trial. If you are sitting on an extended trial, you will receive your check at one week intervals.
16. SHOULD I PAY TAXES ON MY JURY FEES? [top] Yes. The $40.00 attendance fee is taxable income but no taxes are removed from your check. At the end of the tax year, a Form 1099 will be sent to those jurors who have received $600.00 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.
17. WILL THERE BE LONG PERIODS OF WAITING IN THE JURY LOUNGE? [top] Because trial starting time may be delayed by last-minute pre-trial proceedings in the courtroom, there may be periods of waiting. The Court appreciates your time and attempts to avoid these delays as much as possible. Soft drink machines, snack machines, and restrooms are located near the jury lounge for your convenience. A telephone will be provided for your use inside the jury lounge.
18. MAY I LEAVE THE JURY LOUNGE? [top] Not without notifying the jury personnel. This rule is necessary to avoid contact with individuals involved with the trial pending before the court. Also, panels may be needed at some moments notice.
19. MAY I SMOKE IN THE LOUNGE? [top] No. All federal buildings are now smoke free facilities.
20. MAY I EAT AND DRINK IN THE LOUNGE? [top] Yes. If you wish to bring your lunch, the jury administrator can refrigerate it for you until your lunch break.
21. CAN MY FAMILY REACH ME IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY? [top] Yes. Please call the jury administrator at 1-800-416-6831 and she will forward the message to you immediately.
22. WHERE CAN I GO FOR LUNCH? [top] There are many different types of restaurants within walking distance from the Federal Building.
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