JURY DUTY
Serving on a Jury is one of the many duties as an American Citizen. The qualifications of a juror are as follows:
- A U.S. citizen
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of Worth County
- Have had your civil rights restored if you were convicted of a felony
If you are not a U.S. Citizen you can bring these following documents to be excused:
- Permanent Resident (green) card
- Work or Student Permit
- U.S. issued Visa
A nonresident of Worth county can bring proof in these forms:
- Driver’s License or state-issued ID
- Lease or mortgage statement showing name and new address
- Utility bill showing name and new address
- National Change of Address from the U.S. Postal Service
Wardrobe
Please use wise judgment and report on time properly dressed. Shorts, miniskirts, & tee shirts are not appropriate attire.
Personal Belongings
We are not responsible for any personal belongings and recommend that you leave anything expensive either at home or in your car. Cell phones are not allowed inside the court room.
***Do not bring children.***
Compensation
$15.00 per day.
Postponements/Deferred/Excused
No one is exempt and/or deferred from jury service because of his or her job, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic status.
Upon completion of the proper affidavit, certain exemptions and deferments are allowed. All affidavits must be notarized. The categories for exemptions/postponements or excused from jury service are as follows:
- Convicted of a felony and have not has their complete civil rights restored.
- Permanently mentally or physically disabled.
- 70 years of age and older.
- Those who are the primary caregiver of a child six (6) years of age and younger, and have no available alternative child care. People who are the primary teacher in a home study program and have no available alternative for child or children in the home study program.
- You must not be employed outside of the home.
- “Reasonably available alternative child care” includes: spouse who is employed.
- If you have a newborn or are exclusively breastfeeding, have your doctor or your child’s pediatrician fill out the medical affidavit attached to your jury summons. ***The affidavit must be notarized. ***
- Primary unpaid caregiver of a person over the age of six (6) with physical or cognitive limitations and have no reasonable alternative to provide care.
- Service member on ordered military duty, or their spouse of any such service member on active military duty.
Click here for miscellaneous Affidavits.
See below for a Worth County Generic Affidavit.
Failure to Appear
If you fail to appear for jury duty, or fail to attend before being discharged, you are subject to a fine and the contempt powers of the court. Example would be the court could sentence you to confinement in the county jail.
Calling for Instructions
Summoned jurors MUST call the juror information line at (229) 776-8226 after 6 p.m. on the FRIDAY before your DESIGNATED reporting date for recorded instructions. There will be updates concerning your service. Your summons number and date to report are located on the FRONT of your summons. Listen very carefully to this message as jurors will not be compensated for reporting on any day the phone message instructs them not to report. If you are required to report, please come to the Worth County Courthouse, 201 N. Main Street, on the date and at the time as instructed by the juror information line. We suggest you come early to allow yourself ample time to park. This will enable you to be in the assembly room at your designated time.
For any questions regarding your service, please call (229) 776-8205.
