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Juror Reporting Instructions |
These instructions should be read carefully and you should find them
self explanatory. However, if after reading them completely, you have any
questions,
please phone the Jury Administration Office in Syracuse at 1-866-213-JURY
(5879). You may also contact the court by fax at (315) 234-8501, or via email at 
Toll Free numbers:
HOW LONG WILL MY TERM AS A JUROR LAST?
Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse and Utica Jurors:
You will be "On Call" for a one month period. Although you are on call, you will only be required to report for jury selection one time during your term of service. Once you appear for jury selection, you will be excused from the remainder of your jury term. If you are selected for a trial that exceeds the service period, you will be required to serve until the completion of the trial.
EXCEPTIONS- Watertown & Plattsburgh Jury Terms will vary depending on the needs of the Court. Please refer to your written reporting instructions for information on the length of your jury term.
RETURNING THE JUROR INFORMATION FORM
You MUST complete the Juror Information Form
attached to the lower half of your summons and return to the Court within five (5) days of
receipt of the summons. You may submit your Juror Information Form electronically through eJuror.
ATTENDANCE OBLIGATIONS
You should be aware that Title 28, United States Code, Section 1866(g) provides,
"Any person summoned for jury service who fails to appear as directed may be
ordered by the district court to appear forthwith and show cause for failure to
comply with the summons. Any person who fails to comply with the summons may be fined not
more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, or ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. "
YOUR JUROR IDENTIFICATION BADGE
A juror identification badge has been included with your summons. Please bring your
badge with you each time that you report for jury duty. The badge can be found on the
upper left-hand side of your summons. The bar coding on the badge is used by our automated
jury program to identify you as a juror. You will be required to show this juror badge to court security officers upon entry to the building.
WHAT IF I HAVE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT OR A PLANNED VACATION ?
The Court realizes that from time to time jurors may need to request a temporary absence from jury service. These absences are generally for appointments with a physician, scheduled vacation time, business obligations, etc. Because the Court will make every effort to accommodate temporary absences during your jury term, these absences do not constitute a valid reason for being excused from the entire term.
When requesting a temporary absence, you must make the request a minimum of
six (6)
days in advance of the date(s) you need to be excused. If you know of the dates you need
to be excused, you may include them on the back of the Juror Information
form, submit them electronically through eJuror, or notify the Jury Administration Office at 1-866-213-JURY (5879).
LEGAL EXCUSES
If you fall within a category listed below, and are requesting to be excused for the entire term, you must list at least one of the numbers below which apply to your situation on the back of the Juror Information form. You may also submit your request for excuse electronically through eJuror.
Your reason(s) for excuse must be fully explained on the back side of the Juror Information form. You will be notified of the Court's decision before the term begins.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN TO REPORT?
Each juror is assigned a JUROR NUMBER. Your number is located in the upper right-hand section of the summons. This juror number will be assigned to you throughout the entire jury term. When calling the toll-free number, it is very important that you listen carefully for specific instructions pertaining to your reporting location and juror number. If your juror number is not one of the numbers instructed to report on a specific date and time, please listen carefully to the remainder of the message for information on when you are to call the toll-free number again.
When listening for your juror number only listen for the last
three digits of your number. (Ex. 01-0001, listen for 001)
You may also check your status through eJuror.
THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER
The first date and time for you to call the toll-free number is noted on the summons (see
"Beginning Date" on the summons). The
toll-free number for you to call is printed on the summons form. Please DO NOT report for jury duty until instructed to do so
by the toll-free message.
JUROR FEES AND ORIENTATION
You will receive an attendance fee of $40.00 per day plus reimbursement of tolls and zone mileage at the rate approved by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Jurors residing an excessive distance from the courthouse may travel the day before appearing as a juror and stay overnight. The Court pays subsistence (to cover meals and lodging) in addition to your attendance fee. Please check with the Jury Administration Office for more information on overnight travel.
Checks are prepared in the beginning of each month to cover
service and mileage fees for the previous month.
ORIENTATION
The first time that you report for jury service you will be greeted by a member of the Clerk's Office staff. Jurors will watch a movie on Petit Jury Service, and will also receive a Petit Juror Handbook. During the orientation the Deputy Clerk will be happy to answer your questions. Our goal is to make your jury service a rewarding and pleasurable experience.
Generally the Court will be in session from about 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The Court normally takes several short breaks throughout the day in addition to an hour for lunch.