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FAQSGeneral FAQ
Petit Jury
Grand Jury
Questionnaires
FAQSHow was my name selected for federal court jury service?The names of prospective jurors were selected at random from the lists of registered voters, licensed drivers of motor vehicles, filers of state gross income tax returns and filers of Homestead rebate application forms of each of the counties allocated to the three divisions(Camden, Newark, and Trenton). What is the jury office's address and phone number?
The jury offices can be reached from 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. on normal business working days. The recorded messages can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How can I obtain direction and parking information?Maps and directions: Also see Jury Instructions: What about public transportation?Lack of transportation or distance from your home to the Courthouse is not considered a valid excuse for not serving as a juror, except in extreme circumstances. Please visit the NJ Transit Website for more information : NJ Transit Web Site. Camden : NJ Transit is the transportation provider for bus and rail service from the South Jersey area. Fare and schedule information can be provided by calling (800) 582-5949. PATCO High Speed Line is also available from Lindenwold to Camden and is accessible from the NJ Transit Rail Service. The PATCO High Speed Line phone number for information is (856) 772-6900. Newark : NJ Transit is New Jersey's Transportation vehicle provider of Bus, Rail and Light Rail transit, linking major points throughout the state. You can call them for bus and rail schedules and fare information from northern New Jersey at (800) 772-2222. Also, there is "PATH" service information from Hoboken and Jersey City to Newark at (800) 234-PATH. Trenton : NJ Transit provides the Trenton area with rail transport. The Trenton Rail Station is located at S. Clinton Raoul Wallenberg Ave., Trenton, NJ, three city blocks from the Courthouse. NJ Transit provides bus service from local communities to the Courthouse:
What should I wear?You may wear casual business attire. The following are not permitted : shorts, sleeveless tops, jogging suits (nylon or otherwise) and hats. Are there restrictions on what can be brought into the Courthouse?Yes. Portable phones, Laptop computers and PDA are PERMITTED. Cameras, recording devices, knives, scissors and similar type items are PROHIBITED in the Courthouses. Please do not have these objects in your possession upon arrival at the courthouse. Are juror attendance fees considered reportable income?The IRS considers juror attendance fees to be Other Income and must be reported. At the end of the year, a 1099 MISC form will be mailed to all jurors who earn $600 or more in attendance fees in the calendar year. This applies only to the "attendance fee" and not for reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage, tolls, etc.). Am I required to give my employer my check for jury service?Most employers who pay their employees while they are on jury duty require them to return the jury service fee to them. This has been deemed to be an acceptable practice. However, this should only apply to the attendance fee, and not to the reimbursement for travel expenses. What protects my employment while serving on jury duty?Jurors are protected by Federal Statute, Title 28 USC Section 1875, from being discharged, intimidated, or coerced by a employer because of grand or petit jury service. Is Jury duty mandatory?Yes. The United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by jury in both criminal and civil cases. Your participation as a juror helps make that possible. Why must I serve in (Camden, Newark or Trenton)?The state of New Jersey is considered one district (The District of New Jersey). However, the state is divided into three vicinages, with designated counties for each vicinage, as follows: Camden : Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic Newark : Essex, Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Union, Middlesex, Hudson Trenton : Mercer, Ocean, Monmouth, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren Your full time county residence determines where you will serve. How can I get proof of my jury service?You will be issued an attendance certificate covering each day of your jury service. What is the penalty for not responding to a summons??Any person summoned for jury service who fails to respond or appear may be ordered by this court to appear at their own expense to show cause why they failed to comply with the summons. Any person failing to show good cause for non-compliance with the jury summons may be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than three (3) days, or both, pursuant to Title 28, USC Section 1866. What if I have a serious hardship?If you have a compelling reason to be excused from jury service (extreme inconvenience or undue hardship), you must notify the jury office in writing. Any request must be prepared by the juror and detail the hardship. You may include any attachments you deem appropriate to aid the Court in rendering a decision. All medical excuses must have a doctor's statement attached. The request will be reviewed and you should call the automated phone system for the status of that request. You will not receive a written response. You may also request to have your service postponed (within your term of service)or may be changed to another term, to be served at a later date. Your service may be postponed for a short period (within your term of service), or may be postponed to another 2 or 4 week term at a later time (you will be issued another summons in this case). What are an employers obligations?Your employee has been summoned to jury duty in the United States District Court. Jurors are obligated to remain 'on call' for jury service up to 4 weeks. During that time, they may be called to serve on a jury. Jurors normally serve from 9AM to 5PM. In most instances, the burden of Federal Court jury service is not so overwhelming that it could not be absorbed by business or other establishments with relative ease. You may not know that in order to ensure that the serious need for federal court jurors is met, in 1978 the Protection of Juror's Employment Statute Title 28, United States Code, Section 1875 was enacted. The statute demonstrates the attitude of the United States Congress toward assuring adequate representation and the corresponding duty of employers to their employees and the justice system. Financial hardship claimed as an excuse by an individual summoned for jury duty is not usually a valid reason for the Court to grant release from service. Unless there are some compelling reasons for that excuse, it will not be granted. If your employment policy is against paying employees while they are on jury duty, you are now asked to reconsider that policy. Federal jurors are paid $40.00 per day for their service. Paying the difference between your employee's salary and the juror attendance fee is strongly encouraged, if possible. Petit JuryWhat is the term of Service?The terms of service are two(2) and four(4) weeks. Your term of service is provided in the jury information sheet/pamphlet enclosed with your summons. The term begins on the date designated on the summons. How will I know when and where to report?Reporting and calling instructions are explained under "Information and Instructions for Federal Jurors of New Jersey" on this web site. How and when will I be paid for Petit Jury?You will receive an attendance fee of $40.00 per day for each day of service, plus a mileage allowance for round trip travel. You are entitled to this mileage allowance no matter what method of transportation you utilize. You will also be reimbursed for any tolls that you incur. Checks are issued by this office on a biweekly basis. Grand JuryWhat is Grand Jury service??The Federal Grand Jury hears evidence presented by an attorney for the U.S. government which intends to show the commission of a crime and whether someone should be tried for that crime. The Grand Jury then votes to indict or not to indict that person or persons. What is the term of service for Grand Jury?Grand Jurors serve an eighteen (18) month term. Service is generally one day a week. How will I receive further instructions?When summoned for Grand Jury service, you are summoned for a ONE DAY SELECTION. If you are selected for the Grand Jury, the subsequent scheduling will be coordinated by the U.S. Attorney's Office. How and when will I be paid for Grand Jury?You will receive an attendance fee of $40.00 per day for each day of service, plus a mileage allowance for round trip travel. You are entitled to this mileage allowance no matter what method of transportation you utilize. You will also be reimbursed for any tolls that you incur. Checks are issued by this office on a biweekly basis. QuestionnairesWhy must I serve in (Camden, Newark or Trenton)?The state of New Jersey is considered one district (The District of New Jersey). However, the state is divided into three vicinages, with designated counties for each vicinage, as follows: Camden : Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic Newark : Essex, Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Union, Middlesex, Hudson Trenton : Mercer, Ocean, Monmouth, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren Your full time county residence determines where you will serve. I received a form with no date, when am I expected to serve?The form you received is a juror qualification questionnaire. If the Court deems you qualified to serve as a juror, you will receive a summons for service with an appearance date, time, reporting and calling instructions. You may receive this summons within the next two years. I have previously served jury duty and was advised that I would not have to serve for at least 2 more years. Why am I being called to serve again?This court only considers Federal Service within the last 2 years as a valid excuse. However if you have served at the state or county level, within the past 6 months, we will postpone your service for 6 months, if a written request is submitted with proof of previous service. Proof of service should be a letter from the court or pay stub. A copy of the summons does not constitute proof of service. What if there are 2 people in my household with the same name. How can I tell who should fill out the questionnaire?You may call the Jury Department in your division to verify the social security number. What if I have a financial or personal hardship?Question #14 covers our official excuse categories. If it does not cover your particular hardship, you may indicate your hardship on the reverse side of the questionnaire in the remarks section. If you have a medical hardship, a doctors note is required. |
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