Cecily Zamora
In North Carolina, jurors are selected at random from a master jury list of licensed drivers and/or registered voters, compiled by a three-person Jury Commission for each county. Jurors are summoned by U.S. mail, and failure to appear can result in a fine or a charge of contempt of court. While the names of jurors are not publicly available, individuals can request to be excused from jury duty for various reasons, including disability or personal hardship. Scammers may pose as court or law enforcement officials and demand sensitive information or payment, but these are fraudulent activities that citizens should be aware of.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How are jurors selected? | A three-person Jury Commission for each county compiles a master jury list of licensed drivers and/or registered voters. Names are randomly drawn from this list. |
| Who is qualified to serve as a juror? | Citizens and residents of the county, who have not served on a jury in the last 2 years, and have not been convicted of a felony. |
| What happens if you don't show up? | Failure to comply with a summons is punishable by a $50 fine, imprisonment, or both. |
| What if I can't serve on the date I've been told to report? | Excuses from jury service will only be granted for reasons of personal hardship or if requiring service would be contrary to public welfare, health, or safety. A written request must be submitted at least 10 days before the first day of service. |
| What should I wear? | Dress appropriately. No halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording/images. Wear layers as courtroom temperatures vary. |
| Scams | If you receive a call stating that a warrant has been issued for your arrest due to not reporting for jury service, it is a scam. Court staff will not call or email requesting sensitive financial information. |
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What You'll Learn
Juror qualifications in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the jury selection process is governed by the North Carolina General Statutes § 9-1 through 9-9. These statutes outline the qualifications and procedures for selecting jurors in the state.
According to the statutes, all citizens of the state who are residents of the county are qualified to serve as jurors and be included on the master jury list. This list is compiled by a three-member jury commission appointed in each county. The jury commission is responsible for merging records of registered voters and licensed drivers to create a comprehensive list of eligible citizens. This process occurs every odd-numbered year, with the list taking effect on January 1st of the following year.
To ensure random selection, the master list is sorted into a random order before the first panel is drawn. After that, names may be selected sequentially from the randomized list. The jury commission also makes decisions regarding the mental and physical competency of prospective jurors.
During the voir dire process, lawyers question potential jurors about their background, beliefs, prejudices, and relationships with any parties involved in the case. This process helps ensure an impartial jury and allows individuals who do not wish to serve or have a valid reason for exemption to be excused. Individuals with disabilities or other compelling personal hardships may request to be excused, deferred, or exempted from jury duty by submitting a signed statement and relevant medical documentation.
While jury duty is a civic requirement in North Carolina, citizens are protected from being summoned too frequently. Jurors who have served are exempt from being summoned again for a specific period, with grand jurors exempt for six years.
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Summoning jurors
In North Carolina, a jury summons is an official court summons that is issued to jurors by U.S. mail. A jury summons is printed and sent to jurors by the clerk of court by first-class mail or delivered to the sheriff of the county, who then summons the persons named. The summons must be served in person, or by leaving a copy at the place of residence of the juror, or by telephone or first-class mail, at least 15 days before the court session. Service by telephone or first-class mail is valid and binding on the person served if mailed to the correct current address of the juror at least 15 days before the day the court convenes. The summons should include information on the time, place, and authority before whom applications for excuses from jury service may be heard.
All summons served in person or by mail must inform the prospective juror that persons 72 years of age or older are entitled to establish in writing exemption from jury service for good cause. The summons should also contain a statement for claiming such exemption, stating the cause, and a place for the prospective juror's signature. It must also state the mailing address of the clerk of the superior court and the date by which such a request for exemption must be received.
If you lose your jury summons, contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in your county as soon as possible to obtain reporting information. Procedures to request an excuse or deferral vary from county to county. Read your summons for specific instructions or you may find more information for jury service in your county on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Any person summoned as a juror who has a disability that could interfere with their ability to serve and who wishes to be excused, deferred, or exempted may make the request without appearing in person by filing a signed statement of the ground of the request, including a brief explanation of the disability, at least five business days before the date upon which the person is summoned to appear. Upon request of the court, medical documentation of any disability may be submitted, and this information shall be kept confidential.
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Juror excuses and exemptions
In North Carolina, a prospective juror with a disability that could interfere with their ability to serve may ask to be excused, deferred, or exempted. This can be done by mailing the completed summons with a signed statement and a brief explanation of the condition. The court may then request supporting medical documentation.
Full-time students at out-of-state educational institutions and individuals who are 72 years or older may also request to be excused or exempted by filing a signed statement at least five business days before the date they are summoned to appear.
There are no automatic exemptions based on occupation in North Carolina. However, some courts may excuse you if serving on a jury would cause undue hardship to yourself or your employer. It is also against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee because they served as a juror.
If you do not qualify for any statutory exemptions but believe that attending jury selection would cause undue hardship, you can submit a jury duty excuse letter with your response to the summons. It is then at the court's discretion whether to accept or deny your excuse.
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Juror conduct and dress code
In North Carolina, jurors are expected to maintain a certain standard of conduct and attire. While there is no formal dress code, jurors are expected to dress appropriately and maintain the dignity of the court. This means dressing comfortably, but not too casually. It is recommended to dress as if you were going to work or to church.
Specifically, halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, and shirts with offensive wording or images are often prohibited by judges. In some counties, business casual or casual business attire is expected, while in other urban areas, expectations may be more relaxed, with courts respecting individual style and fashion trends. However, it is essential to remember that court is a solemn and dignified place, and dressing appropriately shows respect for the judicial process.
In terms of conduct, a jury summons is an official court summons, and failure to appear can result in a contempt charge and a $50 fine for each time you do not appear. If you have a valid reason for non-appearance, such as a disability or family emergency, you may be excused or granted a deferral, but this varies from county to county. It is also important to notify your employer as soon as you receive a jury summons, as it is against the law for them to fire or demote you for serving as a juror.
Additionally, jurors should be aware of rules regarding mobile devices, electronic communication, internet use, and social media while serving. These guidelines ensure that jurors conduct themselves appropriately and maintain the integrity of the judicial process.
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Jury duty scams
In North Carolina, a three-person Jury Commission for each county oversees the compiling of a master jury list of licensed drivers and/or registered voters. A jury summons is then sent out to selected individuals by U.S. mail. While most contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the mail, court staff may also contact you by phone or email. However, court staff and the Sheriff's Office will not request your Social Security number, credit card numbers, money, pre-paid debit card numbers, or any other sensitive financial information.
Scammers may impersonate court officials and contact people by phone, email, or messaging, claiming that they missed jury duty and demanding payment. They may also threaten victims with prosecution, jail time, or fines. These scams may appear legitimate, but it is important to remember that court officials will never request sensitive information through phone or email. If you receive a suspicious communication regarding jury duty, contact your local federal court to verify its authenticity.
Additionally, if you fail to appear for jury duty, you cannot be fined by telephone or email. Any phone call stating that a warrant has been issued for your arrest due to your failure to report for jury duty is a scam. It is also a scam if payment by telephone is demanded to satisfy the bench warrant.
To protect yourself from jury duty scams, be cautious of any unsolicited phone calls, emails, or messages claiming that you have missed jury duty or owe money. Do not provide any personal or financial information to anyone claiming to be a court official, and contact your local federal court and police department if you have any doubts or concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
A master jury list is compiled every two years, containing the names of licensed drivers and/or registered voters. Names are then randomly selected from this list.
To be eligible to serve as a juror in North Carolina, you must be a citizen and resident of the county, not have been convicted of a felony, and not have served on a jury in the past two years.
Yes, excuses from jury service may be granted for reasons of personal hardship or if requiring service would be contrary to public welfare, health, or safety. You must submit a written request to the Chief District Court Judge at least 10 days before the first day of service.
Grand jurors in North Carolina receive $20 per day. Employers are not required to pay employees in full while serving as jurors, but it is against the law for an employer to fire or demote an employee for serving as a juror.
