JURY SERVICE
(Chapter 40, Florida Statutes)
Jurors are summoned at random from lists compiled by the State of Florida Division of Motor Vehicles. Jury trials for Putnam County are conducted at 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, Florida. If you fail to report for jury duty and have not obtained an excuse, you may be found in contempt of court. It is in your best interest to make every effort to appear.
In order to be eligible for jury duty you must:
- Be an American citizen
- Be a legal resident of Putnam County, and
- Be at least 18 years of age.
REQUEST FOR EXCUSE
The following persons, upon request, may be excused from jury service. Your request can be handled over the telephone by calling the Jury Manager at (386)329-0444 or 1/800-826-1437 ext. 0444.
- Expectant mothers;
- A parent who is "not employed" full time, and has custody of a child under 6 years of age;
- A person who was summoned and who reported as a prospective juror in the county within one year;
- A person 70 years of age or older;
- A full-time federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
A judge may excuse a person, upon written request, who shows evidence of hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity (general business conflicts or loss of earnings do not normally constitute such hardship). Your request may be mailed to the Clerk of Courts, Jury Management, P.O. Box 758, Palatka, Florida 32178 or faxed to (386) 329-0888 attention Jury Management.
A judge may also excuse a practicing attorney, a practicing physician, or a person who is physically infirm. Anyone seeking to be excused for medical reasons must submit a statement from a physician. Your request may be mailed to the Clerk of Courts, Jury Management, P.O. Box 758, Palatka, Florida 32178 or faxed to (386) 329-0888 attention Jury Management.
The following persons are "disqualified" from jury service. Your request can be handled over the telephone by calling the Jury Manager at (386)329-0444 or 1/800-826-1437 ext. 0444:
- A convicted felon whose civil rights have not been restored;
- A person currently under prosecution for any crime.
- A person no longer residing in Putnam County.
COMPENSATION
Jurors who are regularly employed and who continue to receive regular wages while serving as a juror, will not be compensated for the first three days of jury service. Jurors who are not regularly employed, or who do not continue to receive regular wages while serving as a juror, are entitled to receive $15 per day for the first three days of jury service. Regular employment includes full-time employment and part-time, temporary, and casual employment. Each jury who serves more than three days will be paid by the state for the fourth day or service and each day thereafter at the rate of $30 per day.
Before reporting for jury duty, please ascertain the policy of your employer concerning payment of wages while on jury duty. If you have been selected for service, please complete and bring with you to court the Juror Request for Compensation form received with your summons.
TERMS OF SERVICE
If you are scheduled to report on a Monday, it is possible your term of service will be for Monday only if you are not selected to try a case. If you are selected for the completion of one trial, your service may be from 1-3 days. The maximum length of service is generally for one week. A person who has reported as a prospective juror is exempt from jury service for one year from the last day of service.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate on jury duty, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Jury Manager at (386) 329-0444 or 1/800-826-1437 ext. 0444 to may appropriate arrangements.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
IF YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR SERVICE, THE JURY SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO REPORTING TIME. IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE, PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DATE BY DIALING 1-800-233-3714 ANYTIME WITHIN THE 24 HOURS (INCLUDING SUNDAY) PRECEDING YOUR REPORTING TIME AS INDICATED ON YOUR SUMMONS. THIS NUMBER IS VALID IN PALATKA AND ALL OF PUTNAM COUNTY, BUT ONLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE CLERK'S OFFICE WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT (386) 329-0444 OR 1/800-286-1437 EXT. 0444
Trial by jury is a right guaranteed under the United States and Florida Constitutions. It is the duty of every citizen to service when called to do so.
