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Jury Info

Welcome to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. As a juror, you play a significant role in ensuring that justice is carried out fairly and impartially, and you participate in one of the most important privileges of being a U.S. citizen.

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Jury 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 jury@nynd.uscourts.gov.

Petit jurors should check their status through eJuror or call (855) 895-2472, after 6:00 PM, on the date indicated on your jury summons. You will check for instructions every Thursday for the duration of your term. Each Thursday, the message will give you your reporting instructions for the following week.

To get directions and hours for each of the offices please visit the Directions & Parking section.


How Long Will Your Term as a Juror Last?

For Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse, & 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.

For 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 Obligation

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, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. "

What if you have a Doctor's Appointment or 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.

Requests for time off will not be considered after you have been assigned a reporting date. To ensure that your request is approved, you should submit your request for time off by 5:00 PM each Wednesday (for date conflicts the following week).


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.If you are using the eJuror website, you will be provided with an excuse menu option after your successful submission of the required form.

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. To view this list in PDF format click here.

  1. Any person who has served as a grand or petit juror in a state or federal court during the past two years. This excuse is only valid if you appeared for at least one day of service. To claim this exclusion, proof is REQUIRED. Proof can be faxed to the jury office at (315) 234-8501.
  2. Persons having the active care and custody of a child or children less than twelve years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by their absence for jury service. Individuals who are working and have child care available during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), do not qualify for this excuse.
  3. A person who is essential to the care of the aged or infirm persons. This excuse applies only to individuals who are unpaid full time care givers during normal business hours.
  4. Persons more than seventy years of age. Please indicate your wish to be excused on the back of the Juror Information Form.
  5. Volunteer safety personnel who serve a public agency in an official capacity, without compensation, as firefighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew. Please provide the name of the agency and your position on the back of the Juror Information Form or in the "Additional Information" box on the court's eJuror website.
  6. Actively practicing attorneys, physicians, dentists, clergy, and registered nurses. Please specify on the back of the Juror Information Form or in the "Additional Information" box on the court's eJuror website.
  7. Sole proprietor of a business.
  8. Persons for whom jury service would entail undue hardship or extreme inconvenience. Please fully explain your request on the back of the Juror Information Form or in the "Additional Information" box on the court's eJuror website.
  9. FULL-TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS: Please indicate your expected date of graduation on the back of your Jury Information Form or in the "Additional Information" box in eJuror. Your service will be postponed until after you've completed your studies. A parent may complete the form on your behalf.

NOTE: Requests made subsequently to the submission of your juror information form may be submitted by electronic mail, regular mail, or through the court's eJuror website. NO excusal or deferral requests will be accepted by telephone.


Juror Fees and Orientation

You will receive an attendance fee of $50.00 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. For information on overnight accommodations, click here for instructions on making your reservation.

The current mileage rate is set at $0.67 per mile. (effective January 1, 2024)
To view previous mileage rates visit our Court Fees & Rates page.

Checks are prepared on Monday of each week to cover service and mileage fees for the previous week.

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.