"Jury service is one of the most important civic duties you can perform. The protection of rights and liberties in court (is) largely achieved through the teamwork of a judge and jury." — United States Courts
I received a summons? Now what?
If you receive a jury summons, you have been randomly selected to exercise your right as a citizen of the United States to deliberate impartially and to reach a fair verdict for a trial. That is, if you are selected to serve. Receiving a summons does not automatically imply that you will serve on a jury. However, you MUST show up for jury duty. The court will make some exceptions for people who suffer undue hardship or other extreme inconveniences as a result of being summoned. If you have questions about your summons, please contact the Jury Services Division of the county you reside in for further instructions.
COVID-19 Information
As our judicial circuit initiates a return to jury proceedings, your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of court personnel, parties, and witnesses, is of paramount importance to us. Our courts continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely, and we’ve worked diligently over the last 6 months to plan and execute additional health measures. Jury Duty is an essential part of the American justice system, and we’ve taken extraordinary steps to minimize risk and conduct proceedings in accordance with public health guidelines.
How we're helping to protect you:
- Health Screenings
- Face Coverings
- Social Distancing
- Cleaning & Disinfecting
- Staggered Report Times
- Smaller Jury Pools
COVID-19 Questions:
Do you have any COVID-19 questions? Please don't hesitate to contact us at (770) 718-5142.
Operating Guidelines:
Health and Safety Video:
Justice Needs Jurors:
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton explains the important role of jurors in the justice system. #JusticeNeedsJurors
Want to know more about jury duty?
Visit https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/jury-service/learn-about-jury-service. Here you’ll find information about:
- The jury selection process
- The types of cases heard by a jury
- The responsibilities of the jury and the judge
County Jury Duty
Fact vs. Fiction
If I register to vote, I’ll get selected for jury duty.
FICTION.
- Names for jury selection do not strictly come from voter registration. In May 2011, Governor Deal passed the Jury Reform Bill which created a statewide jury pool. Jurors are selected from lists provided by Voter Registration, the Department of Driver Services, the Secretary of the State, and the Department of Public Health; as well as others. Getting selected for jury duty truly is random.
If I get selected for a jury trial, it’s going to take several weeks.
FICTION.
- It really just depends on the type of case. If the case is complex or if there is a lot of evidence to present, a trial may take a week or longer; however, most jury trials only last a couple of days.
If I miss work for jury duty, my employer is required to pay me.
FICTION.
- A lot of employers will pay their employees for fulfilling their civic duty of jury service; but they are not required by law to do so. They cannot, however, fire you for missing work due to serving. Be sure to hold onto your jury summons paperwork in case you need to provide it to your employer.
The court system will pay me for my time served on jury duty?
FACT.
- Yes, you will receive a daily fee from the court. As mentioned above, some employers continue to pay their employees while they are away for jury service. Be sure to check your company’s policies regarding jury duty pay.
The judge will appoint a jury foreman.
FICTION.
- The jury, as a group, will select their own foreman.
A jury is made up of every day citizens from all walks of life.
FACT.
- Because jurors are selected randomly from various pools collected, it is impossible to tell who may be on a jury together.
Many cases are settled out of court before a trial can begin.
FACT.
- Jurors are a mixture of citizens with different convictions, morals, and beliefs. Knowing this, many individuals on trial will choose to settle out of court before their case goes before the judge and jury. You never know what the minds of the people may be thinking, this is a great incentive for a case to settle before entering the courtroom.