Jury Duty is one of the most important duties a citizen is asked to perform for his or her county.
I received a summons, how do I respond to the summons?
Please click here to visit our Jury Summons eResponse system and login by using the Candidate ID that is printed on your summons. If you cannot complete the form online, please visit the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center at 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, Bunnell, FL 32110 and visit the Criminal Court Division Office located on the second floor of the courthouse.
What are the qualifications for becoming a juror?
The State of Florida and Clerk’s Office can send a summons for jury service to any person who is eligible to serve.
You are eligible to serve if you:
- Are a citizen of the United States
- Are a legal resident of Florida
- Are a legal resident of Flagler County
- Are at least 18 years old, and
- Have a valid Florida Drivers License or a valid Florida Identification Card.
If you have received a summons, it means you have been randomly selected to report for jury duty because you meet all five (5) requirements. You were picked because you are eligible and able to serve. You are now part of a jury “pool” which is group of eligible and able citizens from which trial juries are chosen.
Who receives a Jury Summons?
Names are randomly selected from the list of names supplied by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
What is the normal length of service?
Under normal circumstances, all juries subject to being selected will be chosen during the first day of reporting. If selected, your trial may begin that day; or you will be instructed to report on a day later in the week for which the trial is scheduled. Average trial length is one to two days. If you are not selected for any cases your term of service will be completed. Only under unusual circumstances would you be required to report on another day for a selection process.
Reading the Information and Instructions
Upon receiving a jury summons, read all information and instructions carefully. The summons provides information concerning when and where to report, and the necessary time and date. The summons also provides special instructions for the juror prior to reporting. If after reading the information, you still have questions, contact the Jury Clerk at the number listed on the summons. If you need special accommodations please contact telephone number 386-313-4485 within two (2) working days of your receipt of the jury summons; if you are hearing or voice impaired call 1-800-955-8771.
What are the Exemptions and Disqualifications from Jury Duty?
You may be excused for the following reasons:
You have served as a juror in Flagler County within the past 12 months.
You are an expectant mother or a parent who is not employed full-time and have custody of a child less than six years of age.
You are 70 years of age or older. (Permanent Juror Excusal Form)
You are a fulltime federal, state, or local law enforcement officer or investigative personnel for these entities.
You care for persons who, because of mental illness, mental retardation, senility, or physical or mental incapacity, are incapable of caring for themselves.
You will be disqualified for the following reasons:
You are currently under prosecution for any crime.
You are a convicted felon and have not had your civil rights restored.
You serve as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, a Cabinet officer, clerk of court, or judge
What is the payment For Jury Duty?
Jurors who are regularly employed and receive regular wages during jury duty are not entitled to compensation for the first three days of jury service. Jurors who are not regularly employed or who do not receive regular wages during jury duty are entitled to $15.00 per day for the first three days of jury service. All jurors who serve more than three days will be paid by the State for the fourth and subsequent days of service at the rate of $30.00 per day.
What is included in the Examination of Jurors?
When jurors are called to a panel for a particular case, the judge and the attorneys will ask questions regarding jurors’ backgrounds. This process is called “voir dire,” which means “to speak the truth.” These questions are not meant to embarrass. Instead, they are designed to ensure that members of the jury have no opinions or past experiences that might prevent them from making an impartial decision. Excusals from jury service should not be taken personally. When jurors are excused, it means only that there are proper and lawful reasons for the excusals.
What is the difference between Petit and Grand Juries?
A petit jury will hear and decide civil and criminal cases. Civil cases are disputes between private citizens, corporations, governments, government agencies, or other organizations. Usually, the party who brings the suit is seeking money damages for an alleged wrong that has been done. The party who brings the suit is called the plaintiff, and the one being sued is called the defendant. Civil trials can involve small claims, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases.
Criminal cases are brought by the state against persons accused of committing a crime. In these cases, the state is the plaintiff, and the accused person is the defendant. Criminal trials can involve traffic, misdemeanor, felony, and capital (death penalty) cases.
A grand jury has broad powers to investigate a wide range of criminal offenses and to examine the performance of public officials and public institutions. Its deliberations are conducted in secret, in conjunction with the State Attorney or a designated assistant state attorney.
Important Things to Remember During the Trial
Jurors should observe the following general rules of conduct:
- Be on time for court. The trial cannot proceed until all jurors are present.
- Sit in the same seat in the jury box. This allows the clerk, judge, and lawyers to identify you more easily.
- Listen carefully. It is important that you hear every question asked and every answer given since your verdict will be based on the evidence given. If you do not understand any portion of the trial, you should ask the judge to explain.
- Do not talk about the case. You should not talk with anyone about the case. This includes the clerk, lawyers, judge, bailiff, and other jurors, unless you have retired to the jury room for deliberations. If anyone tries to talk to you about the case or attempts to influence you as a juror, you should report it to the judge immediately.
If you have any questions please contact the Jury Management Clerk at 386-313-4492. Click here to fill out the response to your summons online.