ANSWER: Your name was randomly selected by computer from voter registration lists, tax lists, and Department of Motor Vehicle records in accordance with procedures established by the judges of this Court and in full compliance with all relevant federal statutes and court rules. Prospective jurors received a questionnaire by mail to be completed and returned to the Court. The names of qualified persons are placed on a list from which the Court randomly selects its prospective jurors. See our Public Jury Notice.
ANSWER: A PETIT jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The PETIT jury listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict in a civil case may be a finding for the plaintiff or for the defendant. A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.
ANSWER: A GRAND Jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed. The evidence is normally presented only by an attorney for the government. The Grand Jury must determine from this evidence whether a person should have formal charges filed by the government. If the Grand Jury finds probable cause, then it will return a written statement of the charges called an "indictment."
ANSWER: The U.S. District Court tries both criminal and civil cases. Criminal cases include prosecution for drug activity, tax fraud, bank robbery, mail fraud, etc. Civil cases include actions involving prisoner litigation, contract actions, discrimination, etc.
ANSWER: The Court's Jury Administration Office is available to assist you with any questions regarding your jury service. The telephone number is (866)213-JURY (5879) and the fax number is (315)234-8501. You may also contact the jury office by e-mail at: jury@nynd.uscourts.gov.
ANSWER: Your family may call the Jury Office and the jury staff will get a message to you.
Albany: 1-518-257-1789 or 1-866-213-JURY (5879) long distance
Binghamton: 1-607-773-2893 or 1-866-213-JURY (5879) long distance
Syracuse: 1-866-213-JURY (5879) local and long distance
Utica: 1-315-793-8151 or 1-866-213-JURY (5879) long distance
Plattsburgh: 1-866-213-JURY (5879) local and long distance
ANSWER: The exemption period for prior jury service in federal court is two years. If you have served as a grand or petit juror in a state or federal court within the past two years, you can apply to have your current jury service postponed. To apply for the two year postponement, you must provide a valid proof of service showing at least one date of attendance. Proof can be obtained by contacting the court where you served. If your service was with a New York State Court, you can find your county's contact information at www.nyjuror.gov. Your proof of service can be submitted by mail, fax (315) 234-8501, or email jury@nynd.uscourts.gov. Upon receipt of a valid proof of service, your federal service will be postponed for two years from the date of your last appearance.
ANSWER: Contact the jury office at (866)213-JURY (5879), e-mail us at jury@nynd.uscourts.gov, or submit your partial excuse request through eJuror. Requests must be submitted by 5:00PM each Wednesday for conflicts the following week. The jury staff will make every effort to accommodate your pre-scheduled vacations and appointments.Grand jurors, if selected, will submit absences through the Grand Jury Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney's Office. Additional information on this procedure will be given during orientation.
ANSWER: While no formal dress code exists, jurors are requested to dress in a manner respectful to the Court. Please keep in mind that the courtrooms are often quite cool, so you may want to bring a sweater or jacket with you. For your protection, all persons entering the Courthouse must pass through the magnetometer and have their personal belongings (purse, bag, etc.) X-rayed. Please leave excess metal and jewelry at home to speed your entry.
ANSWER: Use of cell phones, laptops, tablets, and electronic readers is at the discretion of the presiding trial judge. You may be asked to leave your device at the Security Screening Station. The use of electronic devices to take photos or record video or audio is not permitted. The Court is not responsible for items that are lost or stolen during your jury service. A public phone is available for your use at no charge.
ANSWER: You are responsible for providing your own transportation to the Courthouse. If you cannot drive yourself, you should arrange to take a bus, or have someone drive you. The Court will reimburse your bus fare to and from the courthouse. If such arrangements cannot be made, you should contact the Jury Administrator as soon as possible.
ANSWER: Follow the directions for parking located in your reporting instructions. Your parking fees will either be billed directly to the Court (Albany, Syracuse, and Utica) or reimbursed by the Court (Binghamton and Plattsburgh).
ANSWER: When you appear for jury selection, you will be given a Certificate of Attendance noting the date that you appeared. If you do not obtain a Certificate, but find out that you later need one, you may call the Jury Office at (866)213-JURY (5879) to request one, or you may log onto eJuror to print an Attendance Letter.
ANSWER: The Court can only pay or give credit for the days that you are actually at the Courthouse.On all days when your attendance is not required, you should resume your normal schedule.
ANSWER: It is extremely important to be prompt for both jury selection and for trial. Your tardiness will delay the court proceedings and inconvenience your fellow jurors, the Court, and all the parties involved in the case being tried.
ANSWER: Not likely. Sequestration is very rare in this federal court. You may choose, however, to stay overnight if you live more than 70 miles (one way) from the courthouse. For information on overnight accommodations, click here for instructions on making your reservation.
ANSWER: Yes. Attendance fees ($50 per day) are taxable and should be reported to the IRS as income on your yearly tax return. If you are unsure of the amount to report, please call theJury Office. You will only receive a 1099 from the Jury Office if you make over $600 in attendance fees during the year. Payments for travel (mileage, tolls, parking) and subsistence do not need to be reported to the IRS.
ANSWER: No. Meals are provided by the court only during jury deliberations. Therefore, you should be prepared to either pay for your meals, or bring your lunch with you. Each jury room is equipped with a microwave and refrigerator for your use. When you report for jury selection, the Jury Clerk will advise you on where to eat. You will be given approximately one hour for lunch each day.
ANSWER: Jurors are paid weekly. Checks are issued every Monday for the previous week's jury service. Your check will include your mileage, attendance fee, and per diem payment, if applicable. If you want to waive payment of your attendance fee, please notify the Jury Administrator at the time you report for service.
ANSWER: We will make every effort to move things along quickly the morning that you report for jury service. Unfortunately, sometimes delays cannot be avoided due to last minute pre-trial proceedings in the courtroom. The Court will provide complimentary snacks and beverages in the jury room. If you have special dietary needs, you may bring your food or snacks with you. Restrooms and telephones are also available for your use. Feel free to bring your own reading materials or snacks if you like.
ANSWER: When you report for jury selection, you will be given a brief orientation (approx. 45 minutes). After orientation, you will begin jury selection. The length of jury selection depends on the type of trial that you are being selected for. Typically, jury selection for most trials will be completed in 2-3 hours. If you are not selected as a juror, you will be allowed to leave after jury selection, provided there aren't any more trials scheduled that day. Jurors selected for the trial will normally work until 5:00 p.m.
ANSWER:If you need to leave the Jury Room please notify someone in the Jury Office. Once you are in the courtroom you may only leave when the Judge allows for a break.
ANSWER: The Northern District of New York has a one-day or one-trial term of jury service. This means that a trial juror appears for one day or for the duration of one trial. Once you appear, you are released from being "on call" for the rest of the month. If you are serving on a trial that exceeds the service period, you will be required to serve until the completion of the trial. It is crucial that you call the toll-free jury message as instructed to keep track of your next report/call in date.
ANSWER: Any juror who fails to report for jury duty may be served an Order to Show Cause. The Court may then hold a hearing on the Order to Show Cause. Jurors who fail to show adequate cause for their absence from jury duty can be held in contempt of court under the Jury Selection Act (18 U.S.C. 1866(g)). Penalties include a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment of not more than three days, community service, or any combination of the three.
ANSWER: Call 1-855-895-2472 or log into eJUROR (click Current Status) to get your current instructions. If you missed your reporting date, please call the Jury Administration Office at (315) 234-8515 to be rescheduled.
ANSWER: Jury terms run from the first Thursday of each month to the first Thursday of the following month. You will need to check for instructions every Thursday. Each Thursday, the instructions will be provided for the following week.