Superior Court Juror Information

Welcome to Jury Service

The right to trial by jury is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and is considered a highly important safeguard for the individual citizen. The principle of trial by jury is that a decision reached by 12 disinterested persons is more likely to be fair and just than a decision reached by a single judge.

Your job as a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented at trial, then to decide what evidence seems most valid and credible to you. You “decide the facts” of the case. It is the judge’s job to “decide the law”---to make decisions about what evidence is admissible and other legal issues that come up during the trial. All must do their job well if our system of trial by jury is to work.

You do not need special knowledge or ability to be a juror. You need only to keep an open mind, listen carefully to the evidence presented, and be fair and honest in your deliberations. We hope you find your experience as a juror interesting and satisfying. It is an important duty of citizenship, and we appreciate your service.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Constitution of the United States guarantees everyone the right to a trial by a jury of his/her peers. Jury service is therefore an essential element of the American justice system. The Superior Court Clerk's office is responsible for summoning citizens to serve as jurors on petit and grand jury panels in each county's court. Petit jurors can serve on either criminal or civil juries. Grand jurors hand down indictments in criminal cases and perform various investigative functions.

Jurors are notified of a reporting date and time by mail and they must report as directed. There are only two legal exemptions for jury service: being over the age of 70 or being permanently disabled. However, a deferment of jury service is allowed under certain circumstances. Those who feel they are eligible for exemption or deferment should call the Clerk's office in Murray (695-2932) or Whitfield (275-7450) County between the hours of 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

Courthouse Security

When you enter the Courthouse you will have to pass through security check points and metal detectors. No weapons of any kind are allowed inside the courthouse, including but not limited to; pocket knivves, box cutter and scissors.

WIFI

The Whitfield County provides secured wireless Internet service, You must contact the Superior Court Administrator's office to obtain a user name and password for the week. This access is good only for the duration of your jury service.

In Chatsworth, juror parking is available on streets near the Murray County Courthouse and in a parking lot located next to the Probate Court building. In Dalton, juror parking is available on streets near the Whitfield County Courthouse and in a parking deck located on King Street, behind the Judicial Building in the block bordered by Selvidge and Pentz Streets. Parking deck entrances are located next to BB&T Bank's parking lot.

EMPLOYER INFORMATION

Jury service is a mandated civic duty and so it is very important that employers support employees who are called for jury service. Individuals, businesses and corporations benefit from and are protected by the courts and, thus, the ongoing support of the private sector is a necessary component of the jury system.

It is unlawful for an employer to discharge, discipline, or penalize an employee who is absent from work for purposes for jury duty. Therefore, an employer may not reduce compensation for an employee who misses work to perform jury duty. O.C.G.A. § 34-1-3 prohibits discrimination against an employee for his or her attendance at a judicial proceeding in response to a court order or process, which includes jury summonses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How was I chosen?

Your name was randomly selected (by computer) from voter registration and driver’s license records. Generally, all U.S. Citizens age 18 and older are liable for jury duty in the county in which they reside. You must be able to communicate in English. If you have ever been convicted of a felony, you must have had your rights restored. You were chosen because you are eligible and able to serve.

What happens when I report for jury duty?

Jurors are instructed to report to the jury assembly room. The jury manager will call role, and give you an over-view of the week ahead. The presiding judge will come into the assembly room to address the jurors and answer any questions. You will stay in the assembly room where we provide coffee, water, and magazines until you are called by panels to go into the courtroom for jury selection. You are welcome to bring a book to read while waiting in the jury assembly room, and restrooms are located close by.

What's next?

In the courtroom, the judge will tell you about the case, and introduce the lawyers and others who are involved in it.

Next is the questioning process called voir dire, which means “to speak the truth.” Counsel from both sides will question you and other members of the panel to find out if you have any knowledge about the case, any personal interest in it, or any feelings that might make it hard for you to be impartial. Usually a panel of twelve jurors is selected to serve on a case.

How long will I serve?

Jury service is for one week or until the completion of the trial if you are on a case that goes beyond one week. Most of our trials last no more than a day or two – some less than a day. You may serve on more than one jury during your juror service week. If chosen to serve on a jury, please arrive on time and return promptly after breaks and lunch. The trial cannot proceed until all jurors are present.

What should I wear?

Dress comfortably. Suits and ties, heels and skirts, are not necessary. But don’t get too informal – shorts, halter or tank tops are not appropriate in court. Hats are not allowed unless worn for religious purposes.

What if I have an emergency?

Because your absence could delay a trial, it is important that you report each day you are required to. If a real emergency occurs – a sudden illness, accident or death in the family – tell the court staff immediately so that the trial can be scheduled around you.

What types of cases will I hear?

Jury cases are either criminal or civil.

Civil cases are disputes between private citizens, corporations, governments, government agencies, or organizations. Usually, the party that brings the suit is asking for money damages for some alleged wrong that has been done. The party that brings the suit is called the plaintiff; the one being sued is called the defendant.

A criminal case is brought by the state, or city, or county against one or more persons accused of committing a crime. In these cases, the state, city, or county is the plaintiff, and the accused person is the defendant.



	Home > Superior Court > Juror Information Juror Information
	Welcome to Jury Service The right to trial by jury is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and is considered a highly important safeguard for the individual citizen. The principle of trial by jury is that a decision reached by 12 disinterested persons is more likely to be fair and just than a decision reached by a single judge. Your job as a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented at trial, then to decide what evidence seems most valid and credible to you. You “decide the facts” of the case. It is the judge’s job to “decide the law”---to make decisions about what evidence is admissible and other legal issues that come up during the trial. All must do their job well if our system of trial by jury is to work. You do not need special knowledge or ability to be a juror. You need only to keep an open mind, listen carefully to the evidence presented, and be fair and honest in your deliberations. We hope you find your experience as a juror interesting and satisfying. It is an important duty of citizenship, and we appreciate your service. GENERAL INFORMATION The Constitution of the United States guarantees everyone the right to a trial by a jury of his/her peers. Jury service is therefore an essential element of the American justice system. The Superior Court Clerk's office is responsible for summoning citizens to serve as jurors on petit and grand jury panels in each county's court. Petit jurors can serve on either criminal or civil juries. Grand jurors hand down indictments in criminal cases and perform various investigative functions. Jurors are notified of a reporting date and time by mail and they must report as directed. There are only two legal exemptions for jury service: being over the age of 70 or being permanently disabled. However, a deferment of jury service is allowed under certain circumstances. Those who feel they are eligible for exemption or deferment should call the Clerk's office in Murray (695-2932) or Whitfield (275-7450) County between the hours of 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Courthouse Security When you enter the Courthouse you will have to pass through security check points and metal detectors. No weapons of any kind are allowed inside the courthouse, including but not limited to; pocket knivves, box cutter and scissors. WIFI The Whitfield County provides secured wireless Internet service, You must contact the Superior Court Administrator's office to obtain a user name and password for the week. This access is good only for the duration of your jury service. In Chatsworth, juror parking is available on streets near the Murray County Courthouse and in a parking lot located next to the Probate Court building. In Dalton, juror parking is available on streets near the Whitfield County Courthouse and in a parking deck located on King Street, behind the Judicial Building in the block bordered by Selvidge and Pentz Streets. Parking deck entrances are located next to BB&T Bank's parking lot. EMPLOYER INFORMATION Jury service is a mandated civic duty and so it is very important that employers support employees who are called for jury service. Individuals, businesses and corporations benefit from and are protected by the courts and, thus, the ongoing support of the private sector is a necessary component of the jury system. It is unlawful for an employer to discharge, discipline, or penalize an employee who is absent from work for purposes for jury duty. Therefore, an employer may not reduce compensation for an employee who misses work to perform jury duty. O.C.G.A. § 34-1-3 prohibits discrimination against an employee for his or her attendance at a judicial proceeding in response to a court order or process, which includes jury summonses. Frequently Asked Questions How was I chosen? Your name was randomly selected (by computer) from voter registration and driver’s license records. Generally, all U.S. Citizens age 18 and older are liable for jury duty in the county in which they reside. You must be able to communicate in English. If you have ever been convicted of a felony, you must have had your rights restored. You were chosen because you are eligible and able to serve. What happens when I report for jury duty? Jurors are instructed to report to the jury assembly room. The jury manager will call role, and give you an over-view of the week ahead. The presiding judge will come into the assembly room to address the jurors and answer any questions. You will stay in the assembly room where we provide coffee, water, and magazines until you are called by panels to go into the courtroom for jury selection. You are welcome to bring a book to read while waiting in the jury assembly room, and restrooms are located close by. What's next? In the courtroom, the judge will tell you about the case, and introduce the lawyers and others who are involved in it. Next is the questioning process called voir dire, which means “to speak the truth.” Counsel from both sides will question you and other members of the panel to find out if you have any knowledge about the case, any personal interest in it, or any feelings that might make it hard for you to be impartial. Usually a panel of twelve jurors is selected to serve on a case. How long will I serve? Jury service is for one week or until the completion of the trial if you are on a case that goes beyond one week. Most of our trials last no more than a day or two – some less than a day. You may serve on more than one jury during your juror service week. If chosen to serve on a jury, please arrive on time and return promptly after breaks and lunch. The trial cannot proceed until all jurors are present. What should I wear? Dress comfortably. Suits and ties, heels and skirts, are not necessary. But don’t get too informal – shorts, halter or tank tops are not appropriate in court. Hats are not allowed unless worn for religious purposes. What if I have an emergency? Because your absence could delay a trial, it is important that you report each day you are required to. If a real emergency occurs – a sudden illness, accident or death in the family – tell the court staff immediately so that the trial can be scheduled around you. What types of cases will I hear? Jury cases are either criminal or civil. Civil cases are disputes between private citizens, corporations, governments, government agencies, or organizations. Usually, the party that brings the suit is asking for money damages for some alleged wrong that has been done. The party that brings the suit is called the plaintiff; the one being sued is called the defendant. A criminal case is brought by the state, or city, or county against one or more persons accused of committing a crime. In these cases, the state, city, or county is the plaintiff, and the accused person is the defendant.