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1. Why did I receive a Juror Qualification Form?
2. What is the Juror Summons?
3. Who can serve on a jury?
4. Who do I contact if I need an accommodation to serve on a jury?
5. Can I volunteer for jury service?
6. Can I be excused from jury service?
7. Can I change the date of my jury service?
8. Who should I contact if I have a question about my jury service?
9. Will I be paid for my jury service?
10. How many days will I be on jury service?
11. Why am I being asked to serve on a jury again?
12. Is there a penalty if I do not appear for each day of jury service?
13. Does the law protect my employment if I am on jury service?
14. Will I lose my unemployment benefits if I serve on a jury?
15. What is the difference between a grand jury and a trial jury?
16. How do I report for jury service?
17. Is everyone who appears for jury service selected to sit on a jury?
18. Can I bring my cell phone, laptop or MP3 player?
19. Can I investigate a case on my own while I am on jury service?
20. Can I use social media while I am on jury service?
21. How long will I be at the courthouse?
22. How are my safety and privacy protected?
23. I would like more information about jury service in Maryland. Who can I contact?

1. Why did I receive a Juror Qualification Form? You received the Juror Qualification Form because your name was randomly selected from one of the lists used by your county/Baltimore City to identify prospective jurors. See more information about receiving and completing the Juror Qualification Form,2.

What is the Juror Summons? For a prospective juror, a “summons” is a written order issued by a court that requires the prospective juror to report for jury service at a specific date and time. In some counties, a summons is included with the Juror Qualification Form. In other counties, the summons is sent separate from the Jury Qualification Form.3.

Who can serve on a jury? Anyone who is “qualified” can serve on a jury. While no citizen can be kept from serving on a jury because of her or his color, disability, economic status, national origin, race, religion, or sex, a person can be “disqualified” or “exempt” from being on a jury for other reasons.

• Are at least 18 years of age – and there is no “upper age limit”,
• Are a U.S. citizen, and
• Reside in the county/Baltimore City in which you would serve as a juror.

Disqualified. You cannot serve on a jury – you are “disqualified” – if you:

• Cannot read, write, speak or understand the English language,
• Have a disability that prevents you from providing satisfactory jury service (this must be documented by a health care provider),
• Have been convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year in prison, were sentenced to more than 1 year in prison and have not been pardoned, or
• Have criminal charges pending for a crime that is punishable by more than 1 year in prison.

Also, a trial judge may disqualify you if you are a party in a civil case in the county/Baltimore City in which you would serve. Exempt. Even if you are qualified to be on a jury, you might be released from that responsibility (be “exempt” from jury service) if you are:

• At least 70 years old, and you made a written request to your local jury office to be exempted (you can do this on the Juror Qualification Form ),
• A member of the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate, or
• An active duty member of the armed forces or the state militia. The additional criteria for this exemption are set out on the form that must be completed by your commanding officer or supervisor.

4. Who do I contact if I need an accommodation to serve on a jury? If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please contact your local jury office as soon as possible after receiving your Juror Summons. The Judiciary is committed to providing prospective jurors with an equal opportunity to participate in jury service.

If you believe that you have a disability that prevents satisfactory completion of jury service, you must submit a written signed statement from your health care provider explaining that you are not able to satisfactorily perform jury duty. Your Juror Qualification Form will provide more information.5.

Can I v olunteer for jury service? No, Maryland law specifically states that volunteers for jury service must be refused. The law is Maryland Annotated Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, Section 8-102(d). This helps ensure that the jury is selected at random and from a cross section of citizens.6.

• You must show that excusal is required because of extreme inconvenience, public necessity, or undue hardship.
• Being excused is intended to be used only for the most serious of situations. It is not a way to avoid jury service because it is inconvenient or you do not want to serve.
• Being excused does not mean that you will never be called for jury service. An excusal is good only for the period for which it is necessary. When that period ends, you will be called for jury service.

If you believe that your circumstances meet the criteria for being excused, contact your local jury office for more information.7. Can I change the date of my jury service? Your date of jury service sometimes can be changed if there is a pressing reason, for example, a previously scheduled medical procedure or travel plans. In some circumstances, you can make this change online.

• If you received your Juror Summons from one of the counties/Baltimore City that permit the Juror Qualification Form to be completed online, you can also go online to make a one-time change in your report date. Your form will state whether you can use the online system. Go here to make the change online.
• If you received your summons from a county that does not have an online system, or if you cannot change the date online, contact your local jury office to discuss your situation.

8. Who should I contact if I have a question about my jury service?” Contact your local jury office for questions or concerns about your jury service 9. Will I be paid for my jury service? Yes.

• Per diem. You will receive a reimbursement (the “per diem”) for each day of jury service. The amount generally varies from $15 to $30 per day, depending on the jurisdiction. If you serve on one trial jury for more than 5 days, the per diem becomes $50 beginning on the 6th day of jury service. Contact your local jury office for more information.
• Generous Juror Program. Some counties have a voluntary program (called the Generous Juror Program) which permits jurors to donate the per diem to the local department of social services. The money is used by the Department for the children it serves. The money may be used, for example, for school supplies, special tutoring or recreational activities. Your local jury office can also tell you whether your county participates. A juror’s participation is voluntary.

10. How many days will I be on jury service? The length of jury service is established by each Circuit Court. Your local jury office can tell you how long you will have to serve.11. Why am I being asked to serve on a jury again? In general, you are not required to serve on a jury, or attend court for jury service, more than once every 3 years.

But there are exceptions. A jury plan (every county and Baltimore City must have its own jury plan) may provide that if you served on a jury for less than 5 days, you may be asked to serve again after 1 year. To learn the requirement in your county/Baltimore City, check your county’s jury plan, If you believe that you have been called to jury service more frequently than is permitted under the jury plan, contact your local jury office,12.

Is there a penalty if I do not appear for jury service or do not complete my service? Yes.

• If you do not appear for jury service at the date and time directed by the summons, you can be fined for up to $1,000, put in jail for up to 60 days, or both.
• If you do not complete jury service, you can be fined for up to $1,000, put in jail for up to 90 days, or both.

The relevant laws are Maryland Annotated Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, Sections 8-504 and 8-505. There are also penalties for failing to complete the Juror Qualification Form accurately and for not returning that Form. You can learn more about these penalties here,13.

• Fire you (or coerce, intimidate or threaten to fire you) because you lost time from work as a result of attending court for jury service or because you had to be in proximity to the court for jury service.
• Fire you (or coerce, intimidate or threaten to fire you) if you exercise your right (under certain circumstances) not to work on a day on which you are on jury service.
• Require you to use your leave (annual, sick or vacation) for jury service.
• Under certain circumstances, require you to work on a day on which you are on jury service. If you are summoned and you appear for jury service for 4 or more hours, including traveling time, your employer cannot require you to work an employment shift that begins: -On or after 5 p.m. on the day of your appearance for jury service; or -Before 3 a.m. on the day after your appearance for jury service.

Pay. Your employer does not have to pay you for the time that you are on jury service, although some employers do pay their employees for the time the employees are on jury service. Laws. These protections are found in Maryland Annotated Code, Courts & Judicial Proceeding Article, Sections 8-501 and 8-502.

Any person who violates these laws may be fined up to $1,000. Documentation. The jury office can issue you a certificate that documents the number of days you were on a jury or required to be available for jury service. You can provide this certificate if your employer wants documentation of your jury service.14.

Will I lose my unemployment benefits if I serve on a jury? No. Under Maryland law, you will not be denied unemployment benefits because you had jury service and were unable to work or seek work. The relevant law is Maryland Annotated Code, Labor & Employment Article, Sections 8-101(z)(3)(x), 8-907(a) and 8-1108(a)(1)).

• A grand jury decides whether there is probable cause to charge someone with a crime. A grand jury also can conduct investigations. Learn more about being a grand juror,
• A trial jury – traditionally called a “petit jury” – listens to evidence in a courtroom, and decides the guilt or innocence of the defendant in a criminal case, and the liability and damages of the parties in a civil case. Most jurors serve on a trial jury. Learn more about being a trial juror,

You will not be asked to serve on more than one grand jury at the same time, or as both a grand juror and a trial juror.16. How do I report for jury service? Call in or check in. Your local jury office tries to summons only as many people as will be needed for jury selection on a particular day.

• If, after checking, you are told not to report, do not go to the courthouse. You may be called to jury service sometime in the future.
• If your summons does not tell you to call in or check online, you must appear at the courthouse on the day and time set out in the summons.

Reporting. On the date set out in your Juror Summons:

• Arrive at the courthouse early enough that you can get through security and still be on time. Your summons tells you what time you have to be in the room identified on the summons.
• Bring your Juror Summons with you each time you come to the courthouse.
• Go to the room identified on your summons.

17. Is everyone who appears for jury service selected to sit on a jury? No. More individuals are called to jury service than are selected to serve on a jury. This is in part because there have to be enough jurors to hear each case and allow for challenges.

• Electronic devices must be turned off, inoperable, and not used in a courtroom. In some courthouses, they are not permitted in the courtroom even if turned off.
• Electronic devices cannot be brought into the jury deliberation room.
• If you violate the restrictions, your electronic device may be confiscated by security or other court personnel, and you may be arrested.
• Be conscious of noise – if you use your electronic device to listen to music, videos, etc,, you must use headphones so you do not disturb courthouse staff or your fellow jurors.
• While you are on jury service, including while you are in the jury assembly area, you cannot use your electronic device to research, investigate or communicate regarding any case for which you might serve on the jury. You cannot, for example, research a case using online media outlets or other websites. You also cannot communicate about a case on a blog or using social networking, Twitter, text, instant messaging, telephone or email, etc.

19. Can I investigate a case on my own while I am on jury service? No. Grand juries and trial juries must reach their decisions based solely on the evidence and instructions presented in court. So, jurors – and prospective jurors – cannot act as investigators and cannot independently investigate a case they are hearing (or might hear).20.

Can I use social media while I am on jury service? Yes, but you must follow guidelines that may change how you use social media. In short, while you are on jury service, you cannot use social media to investigate or talk about any matter that is, or might be, before the jury. Learn more about social media,21.

How long will I be at the courthouse? Generally, you should plan to be at the courthouse all day for every day that you are told to report. Except for a brief lunch break, do not expect to be permitted to leave to run errands or pick your children up from school, etc.22.

• Cameras are not permitted in the courtroom.
• The case will not be broadcast on television or radio.
• Jurors are referred to by juror number, and not by name, during court proceedings in the courtroom and in chambers.
• The information about you that is given to the judge, attorneys and parties during jury selection is limited. Under certain very narrow circumstances, the judge can impose further restrictions on the information that is released.

Civil cases. Cameras may be permitted in the courtroom in a civil case, but jury selection is not broadcast and the jury is not filmed. Learn more about Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities,23. I would like more information about jury service in Maryland.

Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in Maryland?

Will jury service place my job in jeopardy? An employer may not deprive an employee of his/her employment solely because of job time lost by the employee as a result of responding to a jury summons or as a result of attending court for service or prospective service as a trial or grand juror.

1. Does my employer pay me for work-time lost while serving jury duty? Employers are not obligated to pay their employees while serving jury duty.
2. Some private employers do provide full or partial compensation to their employees for time lost due to serving jury duty.
3. Many county, state, and federal agencies provide administrative leave (or excused leave) for employees called for jury duty in Maryland.

You may want to contact your Human Resources Department or Personnel Manual to find out what your employer’s policy is pertaining to jury service. Are members of the military exempt from jury service? There is no automatic exemption for members of the federal or state military services.

• You may claim such an exemption if your jury service on the date requested would unreasonably interfere with the performance of military duties or affect adversely the readiness of the military unit.
• The form certifying these requirements must be completed by the commanding officer or supervisor of the person requesting exemption.

A copy of the form can be found here, What is the payment policy for serving jury duty? In Calvert County, jurors receive $20.00 per day. This is not a salary. It is more of a reimbursement for minor expenses while serving on jury duty. How was I chosen? A jury is selected at random from a cross section of the citizens who reside in Maryland.

1. This cross section is drawn from voter registration as well as Motor Vehicle Administration lists, depending on the county where you reside.
2. To be eligible for jury duty, you must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, a Maryland resident, and able to read, write, and understand the English language.

There are certain exemptions from jury service, which you can learn about by contacting the Jury Commissioner in your county. What is the difference between a grand jury and a trial jury? A grand jury is made up of 23 people, who receive and hear evidence to determine whether probable cause exists to charge someone with a crime.

A grand jury also can conduct its own investigations. Most often, you will be called to serve on a trial jury, generally made up of 12 individuals for criminal trials and 6 for civil trials. A trial jury listens to evidence in a courtroom and determines the facts in a particular case. To learn more, review our Grand Jury Handbook and the informative guide to Trial Jury Service,

Where do I report? You must report at the time and place indicated on your summons. The night before you are scheduled to report, call the telephone number on your summons to be certain that you are still scheduled to appear. What happens after I report? In the courtroom, the Judge will tell you about the case, and introduce you to the lawyers and others who are involved in the case.

You will also take an oath, in which you will promise to answer all questions truthfully. After you are sworn in, you and the other potential members of the jury will go through a process known as voir dire, or jury selection. During jury selection, the judge and the lawyers question you and other members of the panel to find out if any of you have any knowledge of the case, a personal interest in the outcome, or any interest in the case that might make it hard for you to be impartial.

Though some of the questions may seem personal, you should answer them completely and honestly. Questions are not asked to embarrass you. They are intended to make sure you have no opinions or past experiences that might prevent you from making an impartial decision.

• If you are uncomfortable answering a question, tell the judge and you may be allowed to give your response at the bench out of the hearing of other jurors.
• If I am selected as a juror for a trial, how long will I serve? Most trials last one-to-two days.
• However, trials can last up to several weeks, and in rare occasions, several months, depending on the complexity of the trial.

The nature of the issues and evidence in a particular case may require a longer trial. The judge will inform you at the beginning of the trial as to how long it is anticipated the trial will last. During the trial, you may have to wait in the jury room while the judge and lawyers settle questions of law.

Judges and other courtroom personnel will do everything they can to minimize the waiting both before and during the trial. You may want to bring something to read. Parties often settle their differences moments before the trial is scheduled to begin. In such instances, you will be excused with the thanks of the court.

What if I am sequestered? If you are serving on a jury for more than one day, you will be allowed to go home for the evening, except in very rare circumstances, whereas jurors may be “sequestered” during the trial or during jury deliberations. In this case, you may have to spend the night at an accommodation assigned by the court.

This is done to assure than an unbiased opinion is not jeopardized by outside influences. If you are sequestered and have to spend the night, your hotel/motel stay and dinner expenses will be compensated by the courts. What types of cases will I hear? Jury cases are either civil or criminal. Civil cases are disputes between private citizens, corporations, governments, government agencies, or other organizations.

Usually, the party that brings the suit (the plaintiff) asks for money damages for some wrong alleged to have been done. The State brings a criminal case against one or more persons accused of committing a crime. The person accused of the crime is the defendant.

The State must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant committed the alleged crime. What happens during a trial? Events in a trial usually happen in a particular order, though the order may be changed by the judge. Here is the usual order of events: Step 1: Selection of the jury Step 2: Opening statements Step 3: Presentation of the evidence Step 4: Jury instructions Step 5: Closing arguments Step 6: Jury deliberations Step 7: Announcement of the verdict What if I have an emergency? Because your absence can delay a trial, it is important that you report each day you are required.

If an emergency occurs, such as a sudden illness, accident, or death in the family, contact the court staff immediately so the court can take your circumstances into account. What if I have special needs? The Maryland Judiciary is committed to making jury service accessible to everyone.

If you have any concerns about accessibility or if you have any special needs, please contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office in advance. What can/cannot be brought in? If you want to bring papers, cellular telephones, cameras, or other electronic equipment ino the courtroom, please check with the Jury Commissioner in advance.

Rules vary by jurisdiction. Some courthouses will not allow access to anyone carrying these items. What should I wear? Jurors should observe courtroom decorum. Clothing worn for an office job, or for a job interview is appropriate. Generally, no shorts, T-shirts with logos, or halter tops are permitted.

What do I do for lunch? Most county courthouses either provide an area to eat lunch and/or allow prospective jurors to go out for lunch. Vending machines are also generally provided. There will usually be a time limit for lunch. How do I get to the courthouse? Where do I park? Most, but not all, county courthouses have parking for prospective jurors.

For directions and parking information, call the Jury Commissioner’s Office.

What happens if you don’t show up for jury duty?

The Final Word – There are usually ways of getting excused from jury duty with some communication with the Clerk of the Court, especially if you have a plausible excuse. Ignoring the summons to jury duty with no communication and no good reason is rarely a good idea, on the other hand. What happens if you don’t answer a jury summons? As mentioned above, the and the discretion of the Judge who has issued the summons to decide how to deal with a no-show. Judge may ignore it, send you a notice to appear in court to explain your absence or the judge may have you arrested and brought to the courtroom.

• If You do Get Called, Will you Automatically Serve on the Jury? Not even close.
• When people appear in a jury pool, there are multiple steps in the selection process where someone can be excused from appearing on the Jury How Often Can Someone be Called for Jury Duty? State laws also govern the frequency of calls to jury duty.

Some states, for example, will not allow people to be summoned for jury duty more than once every 12 months. Can you get in trouble for being late to jury duty? This is similar to missing jury duty so try to call ahead if you can. Lateness can be considered absence, it depends on the state and the judge What is the oldest age for jury duty? There is no age exemption for jury duty.

1. Many people are physically and mentally capable of serving in a jury at 90 and others are unable to at 60.
2. If you are unable to serve due to your age, let the court know Can jurors talk to each other? Of course they can talk to each other but they should refrain from discussing the case until deliberations officially begin Can jurors go home? Typically jurors go home at night but receive instructions to ensure that there isnt any inappropriate influence.

How are the 12 jurors chosen? Lawyers and judges use “voire dire” (latin for speak the truth) process to choose twelve jurors. judge and lawyers for each side questions to prospective jurors to determine if they are suitable to judge the case fairly. What ages are eligible for jury duty? In most states anyone over the age of 18 with no upper limit due to age How do jurors vote? After both parties finish presenting all evidence the jury goes to a secluded room to decide and then vote on a verdict.

• This verdict is then presented to the court Do jurors get paid in the US? State and local rules vary but federal jurors receive $50 per day as well as reasonable transportation expenses and parking fees.
• Jurors serving overnight receive an allowance for meals and lodging.
• Can you get out of jury duty due to anxiety? If you are summoned, you must appear.

When you are questioned by the court, you can explain your condition and they may excuse you especially if they are afraid a panic attack can be disruptive. What happens if all 12 jurors don’t agree? If the jury cannot agree on a unaminous verdict, a hung jury is declared and there is a mistrial.

1. The case is therefore undecided.
2. Government may try the case again before a new jury or decide not to pursue the case further.
3. I am over 70, why am I being called for jury service? There is no maximum age for jury service How often is there a hung jury? A where no verdict is reached on any count is rare and only happens 7.5% of the time.

Jury being hung on the top count (most serious charge against the defendant) occured 10% of the time. A former senior editor of Legal Scoops, Jacob Maslow, founded several popular online newspapers including Daily Forex Report and Conservative Free Press.

What are the penalties for missing jury duty?

What Happens if You Don’t Show Up for Jury Duty? Here’s What You Need to Know May 13, 2021 By Being summoned for jury duty, while a civic responsibility, is rarely considered to be “fun.” Ignoring jury summons, however, can easily have consequences. The penalties for missing jury duty vary by state and on the Judge whose court you have been called to appear in.

How do I get excused from jury duty?

The Final Word – There are usually ways of getting excused from jury duty with some communication with the Clerk of the Court, especially if you have a plausible excuse. Ignoring the summons to jury duty with no communication and no good reason is rarely a good idea, on the other hand. What happens if you don’t answer a jury summons? As mentioned above, the and the discretion of the Judge who has issued the summons to decide how to deal with a no-show. Judge may ignore it, send you a notice to appear in court to explain your absence or the judge may have you arrested and brought to the courtroom.

1. If You do Get Called, Will you Automatically Serve on the Jury? Not even close.
2. When people appear in a jury pool, there are multiple steps in the selection process where someone can be excused from appearing on the Jury How Often Can Someone be Called for Jury Duty? State laws also govern the frequency of calls to jury duty.

Some states, for example, will not allow people to be summoned for jury duty more than once every 12 months. Can you get in trouble for being late to jury duty? This is similar to missing jury duty so try to call ahead if you can. Lateness can be considered absence, it depends on the state and the judge What is the oldest age for jury duty? There is no age exemption for jury duty.

Many people are physically and mentally capable of serving in a jury at 90 and others are unable to at 60. If you are unable to serve due to your age, let the court know Can jurors talk to each other? Of course they can talk to each other but they should refrain from discussing the case until deliberations officially begin Can jurors go home? Typically jurors go home at night but receive instructions to ensure that there isnt any inappropriate influence.

How are the 12 jurors chosen? Lawyers and judges use “voire dire” (latin for speak the truth) process to choose twelve jurors. judge and lawyers for each side questions to prospective jurors to determine if they are suitable to judge the case fairly. What ages are eligible for jury duty? In most states anyone over the age of 18 with no upper limit due to age How do jurors vote? After both parties finish presenting all evidence the jury goes to a secluded room to decide and then vote on a verdict.

This verdict is then presented to the court Do jurors get paid in the US? State and local rules vary but federal jurors receive $50 per day as well as reasonable transportation expenses and parking fees. Jurors serving overnight receive an allowance for meals and lodging. Can you get out of jury duty due to anxiety? If you are summoned, you must appear.

When you are questioned by the court, you can explain your condition and they may excuse you especially if they are afraid a panic attack can be disruptive. What happens if all 12 jurors don’t agree? If the jury cannot agree on a unaminous verdict, a hung jury is declared and there is a mistrial.

The case is therefore undecided. Government may try the case again before a new jury or decide not to pursue the case further. I am over 70, why am I being called for jury service? There is no maximum age for jury service How often is there a hung jury? A where no verdict is reached on any count is rare and only happens 7.5% of the time.

Jury being hung on the top count (most serious charge against the defendant) occured 10% of the time. A former senior editor of Legal Scoops, Jacob Maslow, founded several popular online newspapers including Daily Forex Report and Conservative Free Press.