![]() ![]() This is the initial stage of a criminal proceeding. The sessions are held in secrecy to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant a true bill of indictment. The grand jury convenes monthly for one to three days during the 18 month term of service. ![]() Grand Jurors determine whether a person shall be tried for a serious federal crime alleged to have been committed. If selected, a juror serves an average of three to five days during a term of court. If you are not selected, your jury service will be over that day. ![]() All juries are drawn on the first day you report. Criminal trials require twelve jurors with a minimum of one alternate. A civil jury consists of six to twelve members. Petit Jurors are summoned to serve on civil and criminal jury trials held in the District Court. Summoned jurors may complete their juror information online, using the eJuror system. The summons mailing contains a pamphlet of jury duty information, directions to the courthouse, information regarding parking, and a juror information form which must be completed and returned to the court within five days, in the included pre-addressed envelope. Persons are notified of jury duty by mail when they receive an official Summons to appear for a term of court. If you have a disability that requires special accommodation, such as a hearing impairment that requires a sign language interpreter or a wheelchair restriction that requires ramp access, please contact the Jury Administrator at least two weeks prior to your reporting date so arrangements can be made. Reading material is NOT allowed in the courtroom. Please leave all metal objects and electronic equipment at home, including cellular telephones, electronic media devices, e-readers, laptops, cameras, pagers, recorders, knives, and other metal objects which will activate the metal detectors located at the courthouse.Īll visitors are prohibited from bringing liquids into the courthouse. Please note that due to heightened security at all federal courthouses, photo ID is required to enter the building. Each courthouse serves the surrounding counties. The courthouses of the Northern District of Florida are located in Gainesville, Panama City, Pensacola, and Tallahassee. The Northern District of Florida is separated into four divisions, which may require jurors to travel to a courthouse some distance from one's home. Please note that both AJIS and eJuror will require jurors to enter the 9-digit juror participant number found on the front of their summons. Summoned jurors should not report to the courthouse without first calling 1-86 or logging into eJuror. ![]() You must have your 9-digit participation number from the front of your summons in order to use this system. However, in the event that contact is not made, it is the juror’s responsibility to call the toll-free number the night before scheduled service to verify that his or her presence is required. Should any changes be made to the summons, every effort will be made to inform jurors as soon as possible. This same procedure will continue during the entire time you are summoned. When you call the toll-free number at the date and time designated on your summons, our automated jury information system (AJIS) will provide you with current information specific to your status such as the date, time, and location for you to report for your jury service or when you should call in again for further instructions. Summoned jurors are required to call the Automated Jury Information System (AJIS) at 1-86, or log in to the eJuror system, to determine when they should report for service. Thus, in a very important way, jurors become a part of the court itself. The judge determines the law to be applied in the case while the jury decides the facts. The protection of our rights and liberties is largely achieved through the teamwork of judge and jury who, working together in a common effort, put into practice the principles of our great heritage of freedom. Jurors perform a vital role in the American system of justice. ![]()
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