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Jury Service

Duval County jurors are encouraged to check in online. Jurors can update contact information, request postponements or excusals, and confirm service by visiting our juror webpage.

Jury Groups Requested 

Click here to determine if your group has been ordered to report for jury selection. Requested groups will be posted the Friday before your scheduled report date.

General Information

Jury service is fundamental to our American system of justice and is a civic duty required by law. Jury pools must include qualified prospective jurors made up of a fair cross-section of all members of the local community for service with both the civil and criminal courts of Duval County. Potential jurors are drawn at random from Duval County residents in accordance with Florida Statute 40.011. While jury duty may cause a temporary inconvenience for work or family life, your service is vital to the rule of law. The right to a trial by jury is one of the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. If selected, jurors serve for one trial. The length of service time can vary depending on the type of case

Reporting Information

Before the report date shown on your summons, please check-in online to complete the Juror Questionnaire. You may also apply for postponements, deferrals and excusals using this online system. Helpful information may be found in the frequently asked questions section, below.

Check Your Reporting Status the Weekend Before Your Scheduled Service

Included on your jury summons is your group number. The Clerk’s Office uses these group numbers to let you know if you need to report for your scheduled jury service. Anytime during the weekend prior to your scheduled service, you can check your reporting status to determine whether you need to report. Please either visit this webpage or call (904) 255-2212 to check whether your service is needed. If the telephone recording is not in operation, please report for jury service on the date and time indicated on your summons.

Please note that you will not be released from jury duty until you have completed one of the following:

  • You have served as a juror on a trial
  • You have appeared for service and were not selected as a juror
  • You checked this webpage or called the automated phone system and were notified that your service is not needed

If you fail to appear as directed, sanctions could include a fine of $100, being held in contempt of court, or being ordered to appear for future service.

Where to Report for Jury Duty

Report to the Duval County Courthouse, which is located at:

Duval County Courthouse
501 West Adams St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Please report to the Duval County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room, Room 2379 (follow signs to the second floor). Please feel free to bring reading material, laptops, tablets, etc for downtime.

Parking for Jurors - Clay Street Garage

Free juror parking is provided in the Clay Street garage located at the corner of Adams and Clay streets directly across from the Courthouse. Please bring your parking ticket into the Courthouse each day of your jury service so it can be validated.

Please note that there is no parking available for motorcycles in the Clay Street garage.

The garage opens at 5:20 a.m. and will be available for jurors throughout the duration of your service. Please proceed to the 5th, 6th or 7th levels of the garage or as directed by garage attendants. The garage is shown on the map above at 125 N. Clay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Please note that the Clay Street entrance is the only entrance into the garage.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice

If you have a disability and need special accommodations to serve, please contact Court Administration at (904) 255-1695 within two business days of receiving your juror summons. If you are hearing or voice impaired, please call (800) 955-8771.

Exemptions and Disqualifications

Section 40.013 of the Florida Statutes gives the reasons a person may be excused from jury service. Exemptions are broken down into two categories: Optional Exemptions and Mandatory Disqualified Exemptions. For either type of exemption, please follow the directions in the "Juror Excusal Statement" portion of your summons.

Optional Exemptions

You can be excused for one of the optional reasons only if you ask to be excused. Under the penalty of perjury, you may request to be excused from jury service if you are:

  • An expectant mother
  • A new mother who has given birth within the past 6 months
  • 70 years old or older
  • A parent not employed full time with a child under six years old 
  • The sole unpaid caregiver of a person who is incapacitated mentally or physically
  • A full-time federal, state or local law enforcement officer or investigator employed by a law enforcement agency
  • A full-time student between the ages of 18 and 21

Mandatory Disqualified Exemptions

You must be excused if you are:

  • Younger than 18 years old
  • Not a citizen of the United States
  • Currently serving as governor, lieutenant governor, cabinet officer, clerk of the court or judge
  • Someone who has been convicted of a felony and have not had your civil rights restored
  • NOTE: Restoration of voting rights under Art. VI, § 4, Fla. Const., is NOT the same as restoration of all civil rights, including jury service. If you question whether your right to serve on a jury has been restored following a felony conviction, please contact the Office of Executive Clemency
  • Currently under prosecution for a crime
  • Someone who has served as a juror in Duval County within the last 12 months
  • No longer a resident of Duval County
  • Not a citizen of the United States

If you have a significant scheduling conflict (i.e. prepaid vacation, business trip, etc.) you may take advantage of a one-time courtesy rescheduling on our jury website. Alternatively, you may submit a written request with your completed questionnaire. You will receive notification if your request is granted or denied.

If you are requesting an excusal or postponement due to medical reasons, you MUST have your healthcare provider complete the form Excusal/Postponement of Jury Duty for Medical Reasons and have it sent to our office prior to the date you are scheduled to serve.

Length of Service

The first day of service is normally limited to jury selection for trials that will be held during that week. Jurors selected to serve on a case will be asked to return and serve on the dates of that trial. Most trials last one to two days.

Compensation for Jury Duty

Florida law determines juror compensation. If a person continues to receive regular wages while serving as a juror, the state will not compensate that person for the first three days of jury service.

You are entitled to a $15 per day payment (flat rate with no separate amount for mileage) from the state if you are:

  • Regularly employed and not receiving wages while you're on jury duty
  • Not Employed
  • Self Employed
  • Retired

Any juror who serves beyond three days will receive $30 per day for the fourth day and any additional days, whether or not they are receiving wages from an employer. Approximately 10 days after completion of your jury service, a check will be mailed to you.

Proper Attire

When you report or serve for jury service, we ask you to please dress appropriately. Casual clothes are not suitable for jury service. Jurors should wear business or business-casual attire. You also may want to bring a light jacket or sweater, as courtrooms are often cool. Military or other uniforms are also appropriate attire for both men and women. Beach attire, shorts, flip flops and tank tops are inappropriate attire for jury service.

Courthouse Security and Prohibited Items

For the safety of everyone, there are security screenings at the entrance of the Duval County Courthouse. All visitors to the courthouse are required to go through the screening process to be allowed into the building. Everything you bring with you must be put in a tray and screened before you walk through the metal detector, including all wallets, loose change, cell phones, laptops, books, or magazines.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has provided the Clerk with a list of items prohibited from being brought into the Courthouse. Please review the list and ensure that you do not bring any restricted items with you: Courthouse Prohibited Items

Please note that electronic devices are permitted in the courthouse. In order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process, jurors cannot have their electronic devices during their service in the courtroom while court is in session. Please be assured that your electronic devices will be secured by courtroom staff.

Wireless Internet

For your convenience, free wireless broadband Internet access is available to jurors, courtesy of the Duval County Courthouse.

Dining

A cafeteria/snack bar is conveniently located near the Jury Assembly Room, on the second floor of the courthouse. Vending machines are available in the cafeteria/snack bar, so you may want to remember to bring change. Also, there are several restaurants within easy walking distance of the courthouse. If you prefer to bring your own lunch, a refrigerator and tables are available in the juror lounge.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not registered to vote. How was my name selected?
I’m not registered to vote. How was my name selected?
Your name was selected from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle files, not voter’s registration. This file includes all licensed drivers and people who possess a Florida Identification Card, are 18 years of age or older, and reside in Duval County. This list is updated each quarter and is sent to the Clerk’s Office.
How long will I be there?
How long will I be there?
You should plan to be at the courthouse for the entire day on the day you report for jury selection. Jury service in the State of Florida is for one day or the length of one trial. Some trials exceed one day. Most juries are selected on the initial reporting day, and some trials will begin and end on the same day. The length of the trial will be discussed during the selection process. If you find that the length of the trial conflicts with a personal schedule, you’ll have the opportunity to explain this to the judge during the jury selection process. Reporting for jury service will count as completing your duty for jury service, even if you are not selected to sit on a jury. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU CHOOSE TO SPEAK WITH THE QUALIFYING JUDGE AND GET EXCUSED, IT DOES NOT COUNT AS SERVING. Keep in mind that it is always best to bring any medication you might need and to arrange for family matters before you report for jury service.
I know I will not be selected to be on a jury because of what my spouse or I do for a living. Why not excuse me now and save time?
I know I will not be selected to be on a jury because of what my spouse or I do for a living. Why not excuse me now and save time?

The Duval County Circuit and County Courts try both criminal and civil matters. The random selection process prevents you from knowing for what type of trial you may be selected for. Additionally, if the judge excuses you from a certain case, you may still be sent to another courtroom for selection.

 
I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be excused?
I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be excused?

Please understand that Florida law does not provide for an excuse from jury service for moral or religious beliefs. Only the court has that discretion. You are still required to appear for jury selection. Of course, you can always address these concerns when you are before the judge.

 
I watch my grandchildren, can I be excused?
I watch my grandchildren, can I be excused?

Florida law states that the juror has to have care and custody of a child less than six years of age to qualify for the optional exemption. If the grandparent has custody and the child or children are under six years of age, then you can request that optional exemption.

 
Does my employer have to pay me while I am serving as a juror?
Does my employer have to pay me while I am serving as a juror?

No. Florida law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are serving on jury duty.

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Office Information

Jury Service Department

Office Hours
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mailing Address
Duval County Clerk of Courts
Attn: JURY SERVICE DEPARTMENT
501 West Adams Street, Room 2401
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone
(904) 255-2087

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