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Norbert
G. Jaworski, Clerk of Court
Denise Lameyer, Jury Assistant (618) 482-9160
Jury duty is a very important
part of being a citizen of the United States of America. We hope
that you treat this duty as an honor and find it to be a
rewarding and worthwhile experience.
Jury FAQ
How
am I selected for jury duty?
Your name was randomly selected
from the list of registered voters or the drivers license list
in the county where you live. Jurors are drawn from 38
neighboring counties which comprise the Southern District of
Illinois.
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What
is my juror participant number?
Your juror participant number is the
nine digit number
that is highlighted on your summons. It is located next to your
name and address. You will be called in by your
participant number.
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What
is the telephone number on the summons and why must I call it?
The 866 number on your summons is
important. You must call this number after 5:00 p.m. on the
Friday before your scheduled reporting date shown on your
summons. Specific information will be given to you at that time.
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Why
should I return my questionnaire within (10) days?
We are using a one-step process,
which means you are qualified and summoned to report for jury
duty at the same time. We must determine if you are qualified
before you report. Failure to respond may result in a summons to
the Court to complete the Juror Qualification Questionnaire.
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How
can I request to be excused?
Requests for permanent excuse
from jury duty are listed in Item 15 of the Juror Qualification
Questionnaire. Requests for a temporary excuse during the month
for previously planned vacation, work-related training or
travel, or other hardship, should be included when returning
your questionnaire. You may call the 866 number on your summons
for the status of your request.
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How
long is my term of service?
Your term of service will last
for one month. You will not report each day, you will be
"on call" and instructed by the recorded message when
you must report. Most trials last (1-3)
days, however, some trials may be longer.
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What
is a PETIT jury?
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 finding for the plaintiff or for the
defendant. A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant
guilty or not guilty.
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What
is a GRAND jury?
A GRAND jury does not determine
guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable to believe
that a crime was committed. The evidence is normally
presented
only by an attorney for the government.
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What
should I bring with me when I report?
Be sure to bring your summons
when you report for jury duty. Since there can be periods of
time when you will not be needed in the courtroom, you may want
to bring a book or magazine. If you have special dietary needs,
you may bring food or snacks with you.
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What
should I wear for jury duty?
All jurors should wear
appropriate attire for jury duty, such as, comfortable casual or
business attire. Please bring a sweater or jacket since the
courtrooms are often cool.
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Will
I serve on civil or criminal trials?
This court tries both civil and
criminal trials, and you may be called to serve on either.
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Lunch
and Refreshments
A snack room with vending
machines is located on the first floor of the courthouse.
A microwave and refrigerator are
available in the Jury Assembly Room and all other Jury Rooms.
When you report for jury duty,
you will be provided with a list of area restaurants.
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What
if I am late?
It is extremely important that
you be prompt both in the morning and returning from lunch. It
is particularly important when you are selected to serve on a
trial, since the entire proceeding can be delayed because of the
tardiness of one juror. If you are delayed due to circumstance
beyond your control, call the jury office, (618) 482-9148, to
inform the court of your situation.
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What
if my employer wants proof that I was serving on jury duty?
You will be given a Certificate
of Attendance for each day of service from the jury clerk. The
certificate will be available before you leave the courthouse at
the end of the day if you are not selected or at the end of the
trial of you are selected.
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What
will I be paid for jury duty?
A $40.00 attendance fee is paid
for each day you are required to report, whether or not you are
selected. U. S. Government employees will not receive an
attendance fee. You will be paid 37.5 cents per mile. Your
mileage is automatically calculated by your zip code.
Your check will be mailed in
10-20 days. You must keep track of the amounts you receive as no
tax has been withheld and no W-2 forms are furnished. However,
you do not need to report travel allowances as income.
Those jurors who have received
$600 or more in attendance fees will receive a Form 1099 by
January 31.
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Where
should I park my car?
EAST ST. LOUIS -
Enter the parking lot at 8th and Broadway. Turn left at the
fourth parking lot entrance marked with the sign "Juror
Federal Parking." After entering the lot turn left into the
area designated for juror parking. Park
in one of the green parking spaces.
BENTON - Park in
the city parking lot east of the courthouse, next to the old
jail. Jurors may park free of charge in the parking facility.
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What
if I live a long distance away from the courthouse?
If the distance that you travel
to the courthouse is more that (60) miles , you are authorized
to travel the night before and you will receive a subsistence
fee of $86 for each overnight stay. You will need to bring the
lodging receipt to the jury clerk.
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I
have travel plans during my term of service, what should I do?
Contact the jury office by mail
or by phone prior to reporting. The jury clerks will be happy to
work with you on this.
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Can
I leave the Jury Assembly Room or Courtroom?
You should leave the Jury
Assembly Room or Courtroom only with permission from the jury
clerk or from the presiding judge.
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How
can my family reach me in an emergency?
If your family needs to reach
you, they can call (618) 482-9160 in East St. Louis or (618)
439-7760 in Benton.
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Job
Protection
Pursuant to the provisions of
Title 28, U.S.C., Section 1875, you are protected from being
discharged, intimidated or coerced by your permanent employer
because of your federal jury service.
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What
happens if I don't report for jury duty?
Any juror who fails to report for
jury duty and who is not excused by the Court may be served with
a Show Cause Order by the U. S. Marshal's Office. Subsequently,
those jurors will be required to show cause why they should not
be held in contempt of the Court pursuant to the Jury Selection
Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of $100.00 to three
days imprisonment, or both. (U.S.C. 28 Sec. 1866(g).)
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If
I have questions, who can I talk to?
If you have questions regarding
your jury duty, you can call (618) 482-9148 and leave a message
for a return call. Please be sure to leave your name, telephone number along with the court location,
either Benton or East St. Louis, and the date you are to report.
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