10 0 obj Jury Information. Rulings by the Judge: The judge may be asked to decide questions of law during the trial. Every person that serves will be issued a check for each day of service and be given a certificate of service for your employer. 12 0 obj On occasion, it is necessary to sequester or isolate a jury from contact with the public during the course of the trial. The Alabama Central Disbursement Division (ACDD) is a newly created division that was established as a result of federal and state law, known as the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require an employer to provide annual, vacation, or sick leave to employees who otherwise are not entitled to the benefits under policies of the employer. This is called "challenging a juror". GovernmentThe Court is located near other city, county, state, and federal government buildings. Park in the deck at Scott and Lawrence Streets. Should your family have an emergency you can be reached by calling the Clerk's Office at (334) 864-4348. You will need to call Lisa Burdette at (334) 864-4348and give your updated address and phone number to be taken off of the list for that week. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The judge, attorneys, parties, witnesses, and jurors are all direct participants in the courtroom proceedings. If I am summoned to court as a juror, but I was not chosen to serve, am I still entitled to an expense allowance and mileage? An 18 member grand jury may be impaneled to hear evidence and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to formally charge the defendant with committing a crime and to require an accused to stand trial. All requests to be excused from serving must be made in writing. Being struck does not reflect on a jurors honesty or intelligence. The charge instructs the jury on the issues to be decided and the rules of law that apply to the case. Jury service is scheduled to be for a one to week period depending on the number of cases at issue. 9/1/2021. In the state of Alabama, volunteer firefighters are exempt from jury duty. Peremptory challenges do not require the lawyers to state any reason for excusing a juror. 14 0 obj You can also be excused if you don't meet the basic eligibility requirements for jury duty in AL. The courthouse will open at 8:00 a.m. to begin the check in process. When to ReportThe Jury Line will instruct jurors as to what time to report. Not necessarily. For your convenience, the forms may be saved to your computer and used without accessing the internet. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for the State of Alabama consists of Mobile County's state courts. The questioning of a prospective juror is called a "voir dire examination" and may be conducted by the judge and attorneys. Answer to Landlords Claim. The court schedules seventeen weeks of jury trials each year. <> Presentation of Evidence: The evidence consists of the testimony of witnesses and the exhibits allowed by the judge. Justice ultimately depends in large measure on the jurors who serve in our courts. xXKoH'4-IEY4:nU/IYqt#D1dD)q|;zKsjo69}Nu"pO$.4)IOq = /=P@f&+)#\nDmOWu:II^Y:~M9q,)d~A8Oh_1Hf!B[(qYXi}yEZN!D>)Fd5lpD)BU#Bb#YF_h=_Pn&d\Pe(TW!]1##cx\WdPM.iP4*j$;0!v>Jmg%\| 3C1= Q +D1'j/KX@qkW!jWhq$rBU{LA%7TK5u"n@n=ePu <> What type of cases are heard by jurors?Jurors may be selected for criminal cases ranging from traffic offenses to murder as well as civil cases. This law required a single location in each state to which employers could send wage withheld child support payments to be processed. 35650. No qualified prospective juror is exempt from jury service. A challenge for cause means the lawyer has a specific reason for thinking that a juror would not be able to be impartial. Contact the Court Administrator's office by telephone or email. A jury trial involves many people, directly or indirectly. Please select a department or category from the menu to the left to find the information you need. (Please Note: Your employer is only required to pay you a 40 hour work week's pay, no overtime pay even if you normally work overtime.) To request a deferral from jury duty, you must submit a completed copy of your "Jury Information Form", with the request written out. Witnesses present testimony under oath regarding what they have seen or know about the facts in the case. endobj The court may require alternate jurors to serve who shall have the same qualifications, be subject to the same examination, take the same oath, and have the same functions and powers as regular jurors. If you can't get out of attending jury selection, there are many ways to raise the odds that you will be excused after jury selection without being selected to serve on a jury. If you were selected to serve as a juror on a trial, please follow the instructions given to you by that presiding judge. Juror PIN help_outline Must be at least 1 characters County help_outline Date To Appear help_outline Invalid Date Date of Birth help_outline Invalid Date Request for Contempt Hearing. (This includes the evening after jury service is concluded.). Note: The Attorney General in Georgia has concluded that it is unlawful for an employer in Georgia to fire an employee working in Georgia because the employee was absent from his/her employment for the purpose of serving as a juror in Alabama. An 18 member grand jury may be impaneled to hear evidence and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to formally charge the defendant with committing a crime and to require an accused to stand trial. The sheriff serves summonses or process on witnesses, jurors, and defendants and provides court security. Please note the required fees for this service. A prospective juror is asked questions to determine whether he/she has knowledge of or has an interest in the case to be tried. Upon completion of a voir dire examination, each attorney may strike the names of jurors from the list of prospective jurors until only 12 names remain. Yes. The jurys verdict can only be based upon evidence presented in court. Yes. 4 0 obj The jury panel is sent to the courtroom in which the case will be heard. The court may postpone jury service to a later date rather than grant an excuse. The defendants case is presented after the plaintiffs or states case. Jury service may be inconvenient, but no one is excused unless serving on a jury would present an undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, or be required by public necessity. I will NEVER call you and ask for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or other sensitive information. 7 0 obj Will I have to come to the Courthouse every day during the 2 week jury term? You have completed your jury duty service. as we will not be responsible for their loss. Smoking is permitted outside the building, however, because of time limitations there will not always be opportunities to go outside. xXMo6Q{EwggnuwecP)y38~rIaN$'W\(_++gL`4Ls\eiqkbVb/ot.M7xynjo{|nYbw 'J=q:s&!RTs.|KW. Badges should be worn in plain view at all times (including lunch) during jury service. In Baldwin County, we have two (2) week jury terms, but you most likely will not serve every day of the term. Parking is limited around the courthouse. As a summoned juror, you are entitled to an expense and mileage allowance regardless of whether you actually served on a jury that particular day. For information on the Mobile County Family Court, see their website at http://www.stricklandyouthcenter.org/. A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to one year in the county jail or a fine of $2,000 or both. | Alabama Medical Jury Duty Excuse In the state of Alabama, physicians, dentists, and nurses are exempt from jury duty. What can I expect when I report to the courthouse for jury service? Alabama law states that a full-time employee will receive his/her usual wages while serving as a juror. While jury duty is a civic requirement for all eligible citizens in Alabama, there are a number of excuses that can be used to legally get out of being required to report for jury selection or jury duty, or receive a deferral. No qualified prospective juror is exempt from jury service. 36104, Copyright Please mail your request to be excused to: You will need to submit a request to be excused in writing. Report to the Main Courtroom. 594, p. 712 8.]) The verdict is read by the judge, circuit clerk, or foreman. Are jurors paid for jury service?Jurors are paid $10 each day they report for service in addition to round-trip mileage ($.05 for each mile traveled) from their residence to the courthouse. <> Being struck does not reflect on a juror's honesty or intelligence. When the case is over, you follow the instructions for your panel number that you will receive from the recorded message. If an employee is discharged solely because (s)he has been summoned for jury service, the employee may sue the employer in any state court and may be entitled to recover both actual and punitive damages. A prospective juror must present the summons for jury duty to his/her employer to be excused from work for the days (s)he is required to serve. In courts holding sessions longer than 30 days, the order shall be made returnable 20 days after it issues, and the person in default shall have 10 days after service in which to appear and render his excuse. Questions asked during voir dire may seem personal but should be answered completely and honestly. How is a civil case different from a criminal case? If you are not selected for the first trial, the Judge will tell you when you need to return. Who can be excused from jury service?Very few people are excused from jury duty. After reaching a verdict, the foreman records the verdict and calls for the bailiff to escort the jury to the courtroom. The following is a description of their roles: If there are other terms or phrases which you hear while serving as a juror that you do not understand, ask the judge to explain the term or phrase to you. In most employment situations, "full time" means 40 hours a week. The court may require alternate jurors to serve who shall have the same qualifications, be subject to the same examination, take the same oath, and have the same functions and powers as regular jurors. Can I be excused from or postpone service? Instructions to the Jury: At the close of all the evidence, the judge will read the instructions to the the jury, explaining the law and other considerations in the case. Please pay attention to your Panel Number, Time, and the Comments down below For any additional questions or concerns please call 334-832-2531. 594, p. 712 8.]) (Please Note: This will not excuse you permanently from jury duty. endobj No lighters, matches or anything that will light a fire. PS-02. Section 12-16-8(c), Code of Alabama 1975, specifically provides that a "full time employee" is entitled to their usual wages during jury service. ALABAMA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS Home Family Court Interpreters Municipal Courts Specialty Courts Guardianship/Conservatorship Commission Alabama Judicial Circuits Map Quick Links Alabama's Judicial Circuits Click on a county on the map to view county-specific information. No. If I am summoned to court as a juror, but I was not chosen to serve, am I still entitled to an expense allowance and mileage? Upon completion of cross-examination, the plaintiffs attorney or district attorney may, on redirect examination, clarify statements previously made by the witness. On occasion there will be times you will be required to wait while the Judge takes up an issue which must be heard outside of the jury's presence. It is one of the highest duties of citizenship. If you receive a jury summons and it has been less than 2 years since you last served, give us a call and we will check our records to verify your previous date. Once selection of a jury begins, a potential juror should not discuss the case with anyone. The website is located at https://judicial.alabama.gov, 300 Dexter Ave. For example, the case may involve driving under the influence of alcohol. On the first day that you appear, a jury will be selected for the first case to be tried for that term of court. Have several alternate dates selected when you make your request. You can also submit your requests in writing to: Mail: Court AdministratorMontgomery County CourthousePO Box 1667Montgomery, AL 36102-1667. A juror should listen carefully to all questions by both parties on direct or cross examination of the witness, the testimony given in response to the questions, and the judges instructions to the jury. 8/15/2011. Be prepared to wait before and during trials. Letter of Transmittal of Notice of Appeal to Appellate Clerk by Trial Clerk. They are considered contraband and could lead to your arrest. You have completed your jury service. The jurors should understand that such interruptions are needed to make sure that their verdict is based upon proper evidence, as determined by the judge under the Rules of Evidence. endstream An Alabama jury may be excused from jury service due to advanced age, at their request, if they are over age 70. It is very unlikely that you will have to spend every day at jury duty. In most criminal cases on which you may be asked to serve, the crime with which the defendant is charged will be a "felony." During a trial, if a juror has personal knowledge about any facts in the case, the juror has a duty to disclose his/her knowledge to the judge. The Circuit Clerk will go over what you can expect to experience during your time of jury service. Your employer is required by law (*Per Section 12-16-8(c) Code of Alabama) to pay you your normal salary if you are a full-time employee or work a full-time schedule on a regular basis.
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