You must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age, a resident of the State of Florida and Putnam County, and possess a driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If you do not possess a driver's license, you may complete an affidavit, which may be obtained by calling or visiting the Jury Witness Manager.
Names are randomly selected from the list of names supplied by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
All Court facilities are well air conditioned. It is recommended that everyday business attire be worn when attending Court. We suggest that some individuals may wish to bring a sweater or jacket to avoid being cold.
The criteria for exclusion from Jury include:
-
Being under prosecution for any crime.
-
Having convictions in Florida, Federal Court, or any other State, Territory, or County, of bribery, forgery, perjury, larceny or any other Felony offense, unless civil rights have been restored.
-
Holding public office as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, a Cabinet officer, Clerk of Court, or Judge.
If none of these apply, there are other conditions which allow exemption from Jury service if requested:
-
Expectant mothers or parents who are not employed full-time and have custody of a child under the age of 6.
-
Persons employed as full-time Federal, State, or Local law enforcement officers, or investigative personnel for these entities.
-
Practicing Attorneys or physicians, or persons who are physically infirm.
-
Persons who have served as Jurors in the county within the past 12 months.
-
Persons who are 70 years of age or older.
-
Persons who are responsible for the care of those who, because of mental illness or retardation, senility, or physical or mental incapacity, are incapable of caring for themselves.
None of these conditions applying, the Judge does have discretion to excuse persons for reason of hardship or inconvenience. However, such excusals are carefully reviewed, and are not granted automatically.
Failure to attend without sufficient excuse may result in Contempt of Court.
