Should an illness of a family member or a personal emergency arise, immediately inform the judge or other court official and explain the situation. Identity thieves in other parts of the country have called residents and threatened them for failing to report for jury service. What can I expect when I report to the courthouse for jury service? The grand jury is summoned to serve one term or until the next grand jury is empaneled. The charge instructs the jury on the issues to be decided and the rules of law that apply to the case. On occasion, it is necessary to sequester or isolate a jury from contact with the public during the course of the trial. Wear comfortable clothing, which reflects the seriousness of jury service. Be careful what information you reveal over the phone. Note: The Attorney General in Georgia has concluded that it is unlawful for an employee in Georgia to fire an employee working in Georgia because the employee was absent from his/her employment for the purpose of serving as a juror in Alabama. An Alabama jury may be excused from jury service due to advanced age, at their request, if they are over age 70. There are magazines in the jury lounge to read, or you may want to bring a book. For each required service day, you are entitled to be paid by the circuit clerk or court administrator an expense allowance of $10.00 plus a mileage allowance of $.05 for each mile traveled in going to and returning from court to your residence. 400 | Ashville, AL 35953 Phone: (205) 594-2184 , Pell City - (205) 338-2511 | Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, M-F Need Directions? After the opening statements from both sides, the plaintiffs or states case is presented in the form of evidence. We have two - 2 week terms each of Civil, Criminal and Grand Jury. A Juror must not research the case through broadcast and newspaper accounts. After the first day, you will be given a pink juror card with a telephone number to call every night after 5:00 pm. Can I Get Excused From Jury Duty Because I Work? endobj stream The court, however, can require the defendant to reimburse the state for these costs, if s(he) is able. After deliberations begin, a juror can discuss the case only with the other jurors. A Juror must be impartial until (s)he hears all the evidence and law applicable to the case. We now have some general jury information available online about parking, juror pay, work related questions, and more. Alabama's Unified Judicial System is one of the oldest in the nation. No smoking is allowed inside the building and no weapons of any kind will be allowed. <> Information on cases in Alabama Circuit and District courts is now available on demand, without a subscription, through Just One Look. Also, the temperature fluctuates greatly in our old courthouse, so you may want to bring a jacket. 8 0 obj Your check and certificate will be mailed to you the end of next week. If you are selected to serve on a jury, adequate time for lunch will be allowed. After qualification, you will be sworn in with the following juror's oath:"You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will well and truly try all issues which may be submitted to you during the present session and true verdicts render according to the evidence, so help you God.". 8/15/2011. No qualified prospective juror is exempt from jury service. At I-65 Exit 172B, Turn LEFT (East) onto SR-108 (Bell St), Bear RIGHT (South-East) onto SR-108 (Molton St), Turn LEFT (North-East) onto SR-108 (Bibb St), End: Arrive 251 S Lawrence St, Montgomery AL, 36104. <>/F 4/A<>>> The Human Resources Division of the Administrative Office of Courts in Alabama provides a full range of human resources services to the judicial branch of government. A trial cannot begin or continue unless all jurors are present. A criminal case is an action brought by the state against a person or corporation charged with violating the law. Your Jury service has been completed. ", Per Section 12-16-8(b) Code of Alabama: "An employee may not be required or requested to use annual, vacation, unpaid leave, or sick leave for time spent responding to a summons for jury duty, time spent participating in the jury selection process, or for time spent actually serving on a jury. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 13 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S>> You have completed your jury service. What can I expect when I report to the courthouse for jury service? A prospective juror is asked questions to determine whether he/she has knowledge of or has an interest in the case to be tried. Doctor's excuses can be faxed to the Circuit Judge's office. Generally, if you qualify for one of the statutory excuses, you can respond to your jury duty summons letter with an excuse note containing proof of your excuse, and you will not have to report for jury selection. The Lawrence County Courthouse is located at 14451 Market St, Moulton, Al. If you are in doubt about your eligibility for jury service, you may contact the Jury Coordinator by mail or telephone: Mail: Court AdministratorMontgomery County CourthousePO Box 1667Montgomery, AL 35104-1667. The following items are not allowed in the Baldwin County Courthouses. You will be located and your message relayed. In the state of Alabama, physicians, dentists, and nurses are exempt from jury duty. In the United States our constitution guarantees each individual the right to trial by "a jury of their peers". Juror PIN help_outline Must be at least 1 characters County help_outline Date To Appear help_outline Invalid Date Date of Birth help_outline Invalid Date Deliberation: After closing arguments, the jury is isolated to decide the verdict in the case. 2023 Jury Duty 101. Let us know in a single click. If you are selected to serve on a jury the first day, then you will follow the judges instructions until that case is over. Upon completion of cross-examination, the plaintiffs attorney or district attorney may, on redirect examination, clarify statements previously made by the witness. In a civil trial, the jury decides all questions of fact and determines whether the plaintiff has a valid complaint and should be awarded the relief requested. To qualify for jury service, a person generally must have a reputation for being honest and intelligent, must possess good character and sound judgment, and also must: Most of our jury terms are scheduled for two consecutive weeks. 9/1/2021. <> PS-02. Copyright 2019 Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, Frequently Asked Questions about Jury Duty. Read, speak, and understand the English language. 35650. 2023 We value your feedback! If I work 2nd or 3rd shift, do I still have to go work? Juror note-taking or the use of any notes will be determined by the judge. Will I have to come to the Courthouse every day during the 2 week jury term? No knives, or anything that is sharp, pointed or edged including knitting needles. After reaching a verdict, the foreperson records the verdict and calls for the court attendant (or bailiff) to escort the jury to the courtroom. The law requires that a juror be excused until the next day so the juror may be fully attentive to his/her duties as a juror. Once you have completed the . What type of cases are heard by jurors?Jurors may be selected for criminal cases ranging from traffic offenses to murder as well as civil cases. The Attorney General of Alabama has concluded that the phrase "full-time employee" includes an employee who is paid hourly wages as well as a salaried employee. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require an employer to provide annual, vacation, or sick leave to employees who otherwise are not entitled to the benefits under policies of the employer. <> 594, p. 712 8.]) To do so would subject the employer to civil liability. Jury service is scheduled to be for a one to week period depending on the number of cases at issue. Talladega County Circuit Clerk's Office 148 East St. N P.O. After the jury is selected, the trial will generally follow this order of events: Opening Statements: The lawyers for each side may explain the case, the evidence they will present, and the issues for the jury to decide. After the defendant's case, the plaintiff or state may present, After listening to the judge's oral charge, the jury retires to begin, Jury deliberations generally conclude when a unanimous. Also, the phrase "full-time employee" may be defined by industry standards, in addition to the standards of that particular community. GovernmentThe Court is located near other city, county, state, and federal government buildings. If the court finds it necessary for the jury to inspect the scene of an accident or alleged crime, the judge will arrange for the entire jury to do so together. Pay traffic tickets or district criminal case fines online. You should register online prior to reporting. A Juror must not discuss the case with anyone, including relatives, friends, or trial participants. 13 0 obj <> Peremptory challenges are intended to allow lawyers, both prosecution and defense, to do their best to assure that the trial is fair. Peremptory challenges do not require the lawyers to state any reason for excusing a juror. No exemptions from jury service. [Acts 1978, No. A juror should listen carefully to all questions by both parties on direct or cross examination of the witness, the testimony given in response to the questions, and the judges instructions to the jury. The Supreme Court of Alabama launched a website for Alabama's Unified Judicial System. The judge, attorneys, parties, witnesses and jurors are all direct participants in the courtroom proceedings. You will need to call Lisa Burdette at (334) 864-4348and give your updated address and phone number to be taken off of the list for that week. If I work outside the state of Alabama and I am summoned as a juror in the county where I reside in the state of Alabama, am I entitled to my usual compensation from my employer? Yes. Montgomery County Court is located downtown Montgomery, in the Montgomery County Courthouse, at 251 South Lawrence Street. Alabama law states that a full-time employee will receive his/her usual wages while serving as a juror. A jurors verdict can only be based upon the evidence presented. endobj On behalf of Honorable J. Clark Stankoski, Presiding Circuit Judge, Honorable Jody W. Bishop, Honorable C. Joseph Norton . Next, the defendants attorney may cross-examine the witness to disclose facts favoring the defendant; the defendants attorney may demonstrate there is reason to doubt the testimony given by the witness on direct examination. Parking is limited around the courthouse. no one is exempt from jury duty, but if this week presents an undue hardship or extreme inconvenience you may call Lisa Burdette (334) 864-4348 for a postponement to a later date. United States Constitution:Amendment VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense. What time do I have to arrive at the Courthouse on Monday? JURORS: Please review the Juror FAQ to find answers to questions about how the Mobile County courts intend to handle jury assembly and trials during the Covid-19 pandemic. 1 0 obj We try to keep these to a minimum; however, these are often circumstances beyond the Court's control. For information on the Mobile County Family Court, see their website at http://www.stricklandyouthcenter.org/. Who would be considered a "Full Time Employee" in terms of being able to receive their salary or wages during jury service? endobj Most trial court information may be obtained through www.alacourt.gov using the link "Just One Look" for On-Demand access to Alabama State Trial Court Records. <> If you do not qualify for any of the Alabama statutory exemptions listed above but seriously think that attending jury selection would cause you undue hardship, you can always submit a jury duty excuse letter with your response to the summons, and ask to be excused. no one is exempt from jury duty, but if this week presents an undue hardship or extreme inconvenience you may callLisa Burdette(334) 864-4348for a postponement to a later date. What if I have an illness or an emergency during service? You will need toupdate your voter registration. For any additional questions or concerns please call 334-832-2531. When to ReportThe Jury Line will instruct jurors as to what time to report. | Alabama Medical Jury Duty Excuse In the state of Alabama, physicians, dentists, and nurses are exempt from jury duty. Yes. You can also submit your requests in writing to: Mail: Court AdministratorMontgomery County CourthousePO Box 1667Montgomery, AL 36102-1667. A felony is a crime punishable by at least one year and one day in the penitentiary and may also include a fine. We schedule a term of Civil, a term of Criminal and a term of Grand Jury in the Spring and in the Fall of each year. Should you receive another summons in the future and you are still having medical problems, you would need to submit another request to be excused.) 3 0 obj To register for E-notices as a Pro Se go to https://alafile.alacourt.gov and click on Register. The judge conducts the trial, rules on questions of law raised by the attorneys, and, at the close of the trial, instructs the jury on the law that applies to the case. The jurys verdict can only be based upon evidence presented in court. If a juror had been in an accident with a drunk driver and was still upset about it, the defense attorney could ask that the juror be excused for that reason. A Civil case is an action between parties seeking an impartial settlement of a dispute. A jury of 12 people will be selected in the courtroom. Letter of Transmittal of Notice of Appeal to Appellate Clerk by Trial Clerk. It will be at the discretion of the court that summoned you whether to accept or deny your excuse. The "plaintiff" sues and brings the case to court usually asking for money damages to compensate the plaintiff for certain losses. If someone attempts to talk to a juror, (s)he should report it to the judge. 5 0 obj The sheriff serves summonses or process on witnesses, jurors, and defendants and provides court security. A civil case is an action between parties seeking an impartial settlement of a dispute. There are many reasons why an attorney might prefer some jurors to others for a particular trial. The following is a description of their roles: If there are other terms or phrases which you hear while serving as a juror that you do not understand, ask the judge to explain the term or phrase to you. Please be assured that without your service the judicial system could not operate efficiently. A circuit judge randomly selects the grand jury from the qualified juror pool. Per Section 12-16-82 Code of Alabama: "If any person summoned as a grand or petit juror shall fail to obey such summons without good excuse, to be determined by the court, he or she shall be deemed guilty of a contempt of court; and, if no sufficient excuse is rendered for him or her at the time of his or her default, an order shall be entered for him or her to show cause why he or she shall not be adjudged guilty of contempt and punished accordingly; and, if he shall fail at the next session after the service of such notice to render such excuse, he or she shall be fined by the court not more than three hundred dollars ($300) and may be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than 10 days. In most employment situations, "full time" means 40 hours a week. It is very unlikely that you will have to spend every day at jury duty. Usage is subject to our Terms and Privacy Policy. If I work a second or third shift (classified as a shift other than the typical 8-5 workday), must I return to work after I have served on a jury for six to eight hours during the day and am expected to report for jury duty the next day? The judge, attorneys, parties, witnesses, and jurors are all direct participants in the courtroom proceedings. Smoking is permitted outside the building, however, because of time limitations there will not always be opportunities to go outside. <> State law prohibits an employer from dismissing an employee because (s)he is summoned for jury service. Contact your doctor/medical care provider and request a medical excuse stating you are not physically and/or mentally able to serve as a The Jury Line will instruct jurors about where to report. The Alabama Central Disbursement Division (ACDD) is a newly created division that was established as a result of federal and state law, known as the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. Report to the Main Courtroom. 8/15/2011. Do you have a comment or correction concerning this page? After the trial's completion, you are not obligated to answer questions presented by attorneys or the press. 8/7/2007. Please mail your request to be excused to: You will need to submit a request to be excused in writing. The court schedules seventeen weeks of jury trials each year. The St. Clair County Courthouse is located at 100 6th Avenue North, Ashville, AL 35953. The courts business manager is the circuit clerk. Can my employer require me to use annual, vacation or sick leave for jury service? The judge is an elected or appointed official who administers proceedings between the parties. The questioning of a prospective juror is called a "voir dire examination" and may be conducted by the judge and attorneys. Not necessarily. One late juror can waste the time of the many persons involved in a trial. You may telephone a relative or friend to bring personal necessities. After listening to the judges oral charge, the jury retires to begin jury deliberations. No smoking is allowed inside the building and no weapons of any kind will be allowed. stream Thank you for serving! In most criminal cases on which you may be asked to serve, the crime with which the defendant is charged will be a "felony." Please be on time as court starts promptly at the designated time. Yes. Do not give out such information over the phone to anyone who calls you claiming to be with the judicial system. We recommend that you bring reading materials, knitting, crossword puzzles, etc. endobj <> <> The grand jury does not determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. Your name was randomly selected by computer from a list of Chambers County citizens who are registered to vote in Chambers County. 2 0 obj The jury will be asked to make decisions regarding disputed facts; therefore, jurors attention at all times is critically important. Please be prompt. These are called "compensatory damages." You can renew vehicle license tabs, pay property taxes or utility bills (or ask questions about property taxes or utility bills), apply for a marriage license or a passport, submit building permit plans, or sit in on a County Commissioners meeting, all within a few blocks of the Court. In a criminal trial, the jury must determine whether the state has presented proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. Usually, others indirectly involved provide essential services but are not active trial participants. As a citizen of St. Clair County, you have been chosen to serve in the role of juror. They are considered contraband and could lead to your arrest. Jury Information Links Notice of Garnishments District Judges Honorable Alan Furr, District Judge County Courthouse, Suite 308 1815 Cogswell Ave Pell City, AL 35125 (205) 338-3869 Honorable Robert Minor, District Judge County Courthouse, Suite 208 1815 Cogswell Ave Pell City, AL 35125 (205) 338-1034 165 Fifth Avenue, Suite 100 Ashville, AL 35953 1815 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125. Does my employer have to pay me while I serve on jury duty? @"D5;>mgI, wgf4=3b0C[Yc$nIJENUh yhi"V) K`FB76?(r[`dEAtITJe2 In Baldwin County, we have two (2) week jury terms, but you most likely will not serve every day of the term. In a civil trial, the jury decides all questions of fact and determines whether the plaintiff has a valid complaint and should be awarded the relief requested. Box 6137 Talladega, AL 35160 Phone: (256) 761-2103 Fax: (256) 480-5291 Email: brian.york@alacourt.gov
Joshua Taylor Half Alive,
Accessory Dwelling Unit Palm Beach County,
Tanked The General Dead,
Walsh Football Roster 2022,
Articles J