The
Seventh Judicial Circuit Court
Genesee County
Flint, MI 48502
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Jury Management
Genesee County
Circuit Court House
Jury Board
Office
900 S. Saginaw St.
Room 205 W
Flint, MI 48502
Phone: (810) 257-3285
Fax: (810) 257-3531
Recording after 6:00 p.m. (810) 257-3800
E-mail:
jury@co.genesee.mi.us
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
**Click
here for Jury Reporting Instructions** The Jury Board is the arm of the court that
mails out questionnaires and summons to potential Genesee County jurors. The
citizens are identified through a process established by statute. They are
located by drivers license and non-drivers ID. The Circuit Court Jury Board
also assists the 68th District Court & 67th District Court and Probate Court in the screening of
jurors. In the Circuit Court, jurors serve two day
or three day terms. Once the jurors are summoned for jury duty, the jury board staff
provides an orientation; work letters to verify service and coordinates
daily need for jurors with judicial staff. If you are seated on a
specific jury trial, you are under the instructions of the Judge as to the
time-frame of the jury trial. Over 28,000 questionnaires and
summons are sent out annually.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING JURY DUTY
Jury service is one of the highest duties of citizenship. It is also a very interesting experience. Jury Duty will give you an opportunity to learn more about our system of justice and how it works. While it may require some adjustment of your normal schedule to serve as a juror, we hope you will enjoy the opportunity to see your courts in action, and to participate in this vital democratic process.
What should I do with the Summons and Questionnaire?
Summons: Keep the Summons/Order to Appear for your reference, and bring the Summons with you if/when your Panel letter has to report as indicated below.
Questionnaire: Fill out both sides of the Questionnaire and return the Questionnaire to the Jury Board, within 10 days, in the envelope provided.
**INSTRUCTIONS FOR JURY SERVICE**
Summons/Order to Appear
Please call the (810)257-3800 after 6:00 p.m. the evening prior to each one of your appearance dates and/or access this website after 6:00pm the evening prior to each specific date. A recorded message will instruct you by the panel letter and confirm your reporting date and time.
* If you are 70 years old, or older, you can claim exemption on the questionnaire.
* If you are physically or mentally unable to do jury duty, you must provide a doctor’s statement to be excused, or have the doctor mail/fax a statement to the Jury Board to be excused from jury duty. FAX #(810) 257-3531.
* If the dates you are Summoned for are extremely inconvenient, please contact the Jury Board as soon as possible to schedule a new date for Jury Duty.
* Please make any corrections of your name and/or address on the questionnaire
What qualifies me to serve as a juror?
You must be a United States Citizens
You must speak and understand the English language
You must be a resident of Genesee County.
You must be 18 years or age, or older
You are no longer attending high school
You must not have been convicted of a felony
If you do not meet these requirements, you should indicate that on your Questionnaire and return the Questionnaire to the Jury Board within 10 days.
How do I get excused from Jury Duty?
In the State of Michigan, no one is automatically exempt from jury duty – everyone who meets the above qualifications is eligible. The Jury Board staff is always happy to discuss any condition or scheduling problem you may have which would make your attendance impossible. Please contact the Jury Board as soon as possible in order to discuss Jury Duty.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY YOUR PANEL LETTER IS TO REPORT
What if I have an emergency or require a postponement?
If there is a grave illness in your family, or equally serious problem that would constitute an undue hardship, or extreme inconvenience for you to report for Jury Duty on the dates indicated on your Summons/Order to Appear, you must notify the Jury Board as soon as possible at (810) 257-3285.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY YOUR PANEL LETTER IS TO REPORT
How does the Reporting procedure work?
You have been assigned a Panel Letter. It is located on the top right hand corner of your Summons. Call the recording number at (810) 257-3800 as indicated on your Summons/Order to Appear under **Instructions for Jury Service** and/or access the website the night before each day of your Jury Term. Which will tell you which Panel Letters are to report the following day, and also what time your Panel Letter is to report. Please report only if your Panel Letter is requested.
The recording/website is accurate after 6:00 p.m. the evening prior to each day of your Jury Term, and is on all night long.
**Call the recording and/or access the website the evening prior to each of your term of service
**Report if your Panel Letter is requested.
What kinds of cases are heard in Circuit Court?
Circuit Court trials include all civil matters for money damages over $25,000, such as medical malpractice and product liability, all felony/criminal cases and all Probate, Juvenile, Family Court matters.
How long do jury trials last? How long will I be there?
The Judges try to seat their juries in the morning; therefore, if you are not seated on a case, you are normally (but not always) excused in early afternoon. If you are a juror seated on a specific trial, you should plan on being at the courthouse until about 5:00 p.m.
The average trial length is three (3) to four (4) days; occasionally a jury trial will last longer. The Judge will inform you of the expected length of the jury trial during jury selection.
Where should I park?
If you would like parking validation, you must park in the McCree Parking Ramp, which is on Beach Street between 2nd and 3rd. There is a map on the back of the brochure that illustrates the location. If you park at the McCree Parking Ramp, exit out of the ramp directly on to Beach Street, and walk approximately two blocks south to the Circuit Courthouse. There are entrances on Beach Street and on Saginaw Street.
You are welcome to park elsewhere in the area; however, the Jury Board cannot reimburse you for same. You are responsible for your own parking fees if you park elsewhere.
If you have a handicap sticker, there are spaces available in front of the courthouse entrances on Beach Street and Saginaw Street.
Does my employer have to pay me while I am on jury duty?
No, an employer does not have to pay you for jury duty, but they must release you from work when you are Summoned as a juror and required to report.
What should I wear?
Please wear clothing that is conservative, clean and comfortable. Shorts, tank tops and bare midriffs are not appropriate.
Can I bring my laptop, pager or cell phone with me?
Yes, you may bring those items with you. They may be used while you are waiting in the jury quarters; however, they must be turned off in the courtrooms at all times.
Can I bring food with me?
Coffee, pop, snacks and juice are available in vending machines in the jury assembly area. You may bring your own food, especially if you are a diabetic, or are on a special diet. Open food and beverages are not allowed in the courtrooms.
What else should I bring?
Please bring your Summons/Order to Appear. You may bring books, magazines, or small items to use while you are waiting in the jury room, which will help pass the time. Please do not bring scissors and/or metal objects, because you need to pass through a metal detector when you enter the courthouse.
What if my Panel Letter is not required to report?
Then you do not have to report for jury duty, and your term of service is over