How Jurors Are Summoned
The selection and management of jurors is governed by the California
Code of Civil Procedure. Jurors' names are selected at random from
lists of registered voters and persons who have valid California drivers
licenses or identification cards issued by the Department of Motor
Vehicles. The two lists are combined to create one Master Jury
List. Five thousand three hundred prospective
jurors each week are randomly selected from the master list to receive a
summons. The summonses are mailed approximately five weeks prior
to the service date. The summons contains information and
instructions on how to have jury service postponed; how to request to be
excused from jury service; or how to notify the court of
disqualification from jury
service.
If you have been summoned for jury duty, READ the summons carefully
and follow its instructions, as it contains important information along
with the name and address of the court, and date and time of your jury
service.
Term of Service
The Sacramento Superior Court operates on a One Day/One Trial system.
In order to minimize the number of jurors who must appear in person
and avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the juror, the
standby service or telephone standby process is used. This means a juror is
instructed to telephone the court or access the court's website for
reporting instructions. The juror may be instructed to report the
same day, the following day or to check back later. Jurors are
required to check the instructions for a maximum of five (5) days or
until instructed that their service is complete without having to
report.
Once instructed to report to the courthouse, a juror may or may not be
selected to serve as a juror in a trial court. The Jury
Commissioner is required to have a sufficient number of jurors for all
anticipated trials. The jury staff tries to carefully estimate the
number of jurors needed but there are many variables outside their
control. For example, a defendant may plea to a different charge or a
case may settle at the last moment.
If a prospective juror is selected to serve on a trial as a sworn juror,
the
term of service will be the length of that trial. Trials vary in
length, but generally last one to two weeks.
If a prospective juror is not selected to serve on a trial by the end of
the
first day at the courthouse, and the judge has not ordered the juror to
return for another day of jury selection, jury service is complete. Approximately 80% of our prospective jurors complete
their service in one day.
Pay Policy
State law does not currently require employers to continue paying the
salary of employees while they are serving as jurors. However,
many employers including state and local
government agencies,
have a policy which compensates employees for at least part, if not all
the time spent for jury service. Before coming to court, the juror
should talk with his or her employer.
Prospective jurors are paid the amount mandated by the State
Legislature, $15.00 per day and 34 cents per mile, one way for the
second day of service and every day thereafter. There is no pay
for the first day of service. "Service" is defined as
physically reporting to the courthouse. Days spent on standby
service do not count as payment days. The amount paid for mileage
is calculated by the jurors zip code. Payroll checks are mailed
6-8 weeks
upon completion of service.
Payroll checks are not forwarded by the Post Office, even if you have
put in for a change of address with the Post Office. Therefore
it is important that the jury office has the correct name and address of
each of its serving jurors in order to make sure jurors receive their
checks timely.
What If A Juror Does Not Report as Instructed
Every resident of Sacramento County who is qualified to serve and who
does not have a legal hardship or excuse must appear for jury service
when summoned. Willful failure to appear is contempt of court. Contempt
of court is punished by fine of up to $1000.00 and/or five days in the
county jail.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers cannot discriminate against employees serving on jury
duty. Employers must allow employees time off to serve on a
jury. The California Labor Code,
section 230, prohibits any
employer from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned to
court for jury service as long as reasonable notice is given. The
California Education Code,
sections 44037 and 87036
protect
teachers and students as well. Employers can also be prosecuted
criminally and face a misdemeanor charge if found guilty.
Special Assistance Requests
If you will need special arrangements when you report (e.g.,
assistive listening device, sign language interpreter, etc.), please
complete the bottom portion of your summons titled "Special
Assistance Request" and return the form at least five days prior to
your service date, or submit by clicking on the hyperlink below. If you are requesting a sign language
interpreter, it is possible that your service date will be rescheduled
to the next available date for an Interpreter. You will be
notified of any changes.
Office Hours/Phone Numbers/Fax Number
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., excluding court
holidays.
Phone/FAX Numbers:
| 916-874-9000 |
24-Hour Recorded
Group Reporting Information |
| 916- 874-7775 |
24-Hour Recorded
Information |
| 916- 874-7775 |
Customer Service Staff
Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| 916-874-8294 |
FAX |
Comments/Questions
We encourage your input. You may address your remarks to the Jury
Commissioner, 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
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