Jurors are an essential part of the American Judicial System. Most people who serve on Jury duty find it to be worthwhile and extremely helpful in understanding how the legal system works. Without you, the jury system cannot work. We know that jury service means rearranging schedules, canceling appointments and oftentimes, missing work. But if you were on trial, wouldn’t you want someone like you to make the sacrifices necessary to be a part of your jury? Your public service as a juror protects our right to have a trial by an impartial jury of our peers. Should you be called to serve as a juror in Huron County, we will make every effort to make your experience valuable.
Why Do We Have a Jury System?
Under the Constitution, a United States citizen is given certain rights; the right to a jury trial is one of those rights.
Participation in jury trials provides citizens with an opportunity to:
- Incorporate community values into dispute resolution.
- Guard against abuse of power by legislatures, businesses, and government agencies.
- Avoid arbitrary or unfair sanctions by individual judges.
- Protect the rights of all citizens.
Why Are Jurors Selected?
Jurors are important and necessary participants in our justice system. Legal disputes (cases) often will not actually go to trial (be heard by a judge or jury), because citizens are prepared to participate as jurors sitting and waiting in the jury room.
A jury panel that is ready to hear a case can motivate all parties involved in a dispute to reassess their risks and claims. Much like in a game of poker, the attorneys for both sides of a dispute think that they have the “winning hand.” The mere presence of the jury “calls all bluffs.” For example, it is common for a court to schedule several cases for trial on a single day because the jury is waiting and available. Frequently, none actually make it to trial. How Are Jurors Selected?
Step One:
Once a year the Secretary of State will compile a list of citizens who may be eligible to serve on a jury from a list that identifies citizens who possess a driver’s license or State of Michigan identification card.
Step Two:
Identified citizens are mailed a "Juror Qualification Questionnaire." After the questionnaire is completed, returned, and evaluated, a “qualified” citizen may be called to serve on a jury.
What to Expect if You Are Selected as a Potential Juror?
As an active participant in the justice system, a citizen who serves as a juror can expect to:
What to Expect Inside of the Courtroom?
Once a trial by jury begins, “qualified” citizens are convened inside the courtroom. A juror may be excused if the judge determines there is a valid reason that the juror should not serve in the case. In addition, each lawyer has a right to excuse a certain number of jurors without giving a reason for doing so. This jury selection process is called voir dire.
There are special rules and considerations that attorneys apply and make when conducting voir dire. The fact that a citizen is excused from jury duty does NOT reflect on the citizen’s fitness to serve. A citizen who is excused from jury duty on one trial may very well be selected to serve on another. The judge is the final voice of authority for courtroom procedures. Jurors are expected to pay close attention to and strictly follow all instructions given by the judge.
How to Decide on a Verdict?
After the facts of a case have been presented by each party the jury is sent to a jury room to decide the verdict. Inside the jury room the jury members will select a foreperson whose job it is to collect ballots and to announce the verdict when asked to do so by the judge. All jurors are individually independent and equal. No one juror has more “weight” or power than any other juror.
In reaching a decision jurors must be remember to:
- keep an open mind
- discuss the facts of the case by sharing information and points of view
- apply “jury instructions” appropriately
- decide on a verdict that is based on the facts of a case as they were presented inside the courtroom only
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is exempt from jury service?
You are exempt if:
1. You are not a United States Citizen
2. You do not speak or understand English
3. You are over 70 years old and wish to claim exemption
4. You have served as a juror during the past 12 months
5. You have been convicted of a felony
Am I required by law to fill out the qualifying jury questionnaire?
You are required by state law to fill out the qualifying questionnaire and return it to the County Clerk for filing no later than 10 days from the date your receive it. Persons who do not respond to the questionnaire are sent subsequent requests resulting in a final request to appear before the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court to explain why a fine should not be imposed for failing to respond to the Clerk’s request. Failure to report for jury duty is also being aggressively followed up by the Court and may result in a Show Cause Hearing by the Court and possible fines imposed.
I am unable to complete the questionnaire because of ill health or other physical or mental limitations. What should I do?
The questionnaire must be completed and returned within 10 days. If you are unable to do so, please authorize an individual to act on your behalf, complete and mail the questionnaire. If you have a physical or mental disability that would interfere with or prevent you from serving as a juror, please indicate so by checking the "No" box for question #12 on the first side of the questionnaire. You should also attach an explanation and provide a letter from your physician. Complete only side one of the questionnaire and return.
If I am over 70 years of age do I have to serve as a juror?
That is entirely up to you. If you wish to serve, answer "Yes" to question #13. If you would like to be exempt, answer "No" to question #13. Complete only side one of the questionnaire and return within 10 days.
I have already served jury duty. Can I be called to serve again?
Yes, under the law you are eligible to serve every 12 months. If for some reason you receive another questionnaire during the year proceeding your last date of service, please respond "Yes" to question #14 with the appropriate Court information and time period, complete only side one of the questionnaire and return within 10 days.
What if I have been convicted of a felony?
If you have ever been convicted of a felony, answer "Yes" to question #15, complete only side one of the questionnaire and return within 10 days. Having been convicted of a felony will permanently excuse you from jury duty.
The questionnaire is addressed to my son/daughter who is away at college/military. What should I do?
Again, the questionnaire must be returned by law. You have two options; forward the questionnaire to him/her and have them return it within 10 days, or you can fill out the questionnaire for him/her indicating their situation, sign your name indicating you are the parent or legal representative and return the questionnaire within 10 days. If they have permanently moved and changed their address on their drivers license and declared residency in another county or state, please indicate and return.
I received a questionnaire, but no longer live in Huron County. What should I do?
By law you must still return the questionnaire. We request that you indicate your new address, complete only side one of the questionnaire and return within 10 days.
The questionnaire was sent to a family member who is deceased. What should I do?
By law the questionnaire must be returned. Please write "Deceased" in large letters on the questionnaire and return within 10 days. We take steps to try and avoid this situation. Please accept our apology for any distress this document may have caused you or your family.
The party whose name is on the questionnaire doesn’t live at this address. What should I do?
If you know the forwarding address, mark through the address shown on the questionnaire, write the new address and place in the U.S. Mail. If you do not know the party’s forward address, mark through the address printed on the questionnaire, write "Not At This Address – Return To Sender", and place in the U.S. Mail.
I stay at home to care for my child. Do I have to serve jury duty?
You may request an "Application For Relief From Jury Duty". You may also pick up the form at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The Trial Court Administrator makes the decision if you have a valid reason for exemption.
Who has access to the information on the "Juror Qualification Questionnaire"?
Only the Jury Board and Court staff have access to the "Juror Qualification Questionnaire" and that information is not public record. Once selected to serve on a panel, the Prosecuting Attorney and Attorneys involved in the trial have access to the second side of the questionnaire only, which does not contain address, date of birth or social security number.
Does receipt of this questionnaire mean that I will be selected to serve as a juror?
Out of all the questionnaires that are mailed out yearly, approximately half that amount will actually be called as potential jurors.
How much will I be compensated for my jury service?
For your first half day of service you will be paid $12.50 and $25 for the first full day. Each additional half day after that you will be paid $20.00 per half day or $40 for each additional full day. In addition you will be paid mileage for 1 round trip per day at $.10 per mile from your home to the Courthouse. This mileage figure is taken from your juror questionnaire. A $4.50 lunch stipend is also provided for jurors. Payment will be made to you by check after your term of service is complete. Payments are made to jurors once each term or roughly once every three months.
Can I be excused from jury duty?
You may request to be excused from jury duty or deferred to a different time with a good reason for such a request. Please speak to the Jury Clerk at the District Court Clerk's office. If you request to be excused because of medical reasons, please attach a note from your physician. If you are asking to be excused because of job related reasons, you are requested to attach a letter from your employer. If this request is not made prior to your reporting date you must appear as noticed. Failure to appear for jury duty without proper release may result in contempt of court.
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