JURORS
We understand you may be concerned about COVID-19.
Know that we have your health and safety in mind as we plan for the future.
Please do not panic.
Instead, complete your juror questionnaire and follow the processes outlined in your paperwork.
We will be in contact with you closer to your actual report date.
We understand you may be concerned about COVID-19.
Know that we have your health and safety in mind as we plan for the future.
Please do not panic.
Instead, complete your juror questionnaire and follow the processes outlined in your paperwork.
We will be in contact with you closer to your actual report date.
Please read over your juror letter, summons, and questionnaire that you received in the mail in detail. If you are searching for additional information, please refer to the following “frequently asked questions” below.
WHAT DID I JUST GET IN THE MAIL?
Please take the time to read all of the paperwork included in your juror packet. Your reporting dates and your juror number are indicated on the jury summons. You will need this information to determine whether you actually have to report to the Court for jury duty.
Also included in your juror packet is a Juror Questionnaire. This questionnaire must be completed (front and back) and returned to the Court by mail within 7 days of receiving it. Your completed questionnaire should be sent to Court Services Coordinator Kelly Starkey at 224 East Main Street, Room 211, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Remember to include your contact information on the front of the questionnaire should the Court need to reach you. Also, please do not fax your questionnaire as we do need the original.
You should have also received a Juror Excuse Form in your juror packet. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, please complete this form and mail it to the Court along with your completed Juror Questionnaire. Copies of both the Questionnaire and Juror Excuse Form can be found here.
WHAT DID I JUST GET IN THE MAIL?
Please take the time to read all of the paperwork included in your juror packet. Your reporting dates and your juror number are indicated on the jury summons. You will need this information to determine whether you actually have to report to the Court for jury duty.
Also included in your juror packet is a Juror Questionnaire. This questionnaire must be completed (front and back) and returned to the Court by mail within 7 days of receiving it. Your completed questionnaire should be sent to Court Services Coordinator Kelly Starkey at 224 East Main Street, Room 211, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Remember to include your contact information on the front of the questionnaire should the Court need to reach you. Also, please do not fax your questionnaire as we do need the original.
You should have also received a Juror Excuse Form in your juror packet. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, please complete this form and mail it to the Court along with your completed Juror Questionnaire. Copies of both the Questionnaire and Juror Excuse Form can be found here.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO BE A JUROR?
To be eligible to serve for jury duty, you must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a current resident of Fairfield County. Other than that, you do not need any special skills, training, or legal knowledge to be a juror. You do need to be able to listen carefully, follow instructions, keep an open mind, and be willing to make a decision free from personal feelings or biases.
To be eligible to serve for jury duty, you must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a current resident of Fairfield County. Other than that, you do not need any special skills, training, or legal knowledge to be a juror. You do need to be able to listen carefully, follow instructions, keep an open mind, and be willing to make a decision free from personal feelings or biases.
If you believe you are ineligible to serve as a juror, please complete the applicable section of the Juror Excuse Form that was included in your juror packet and return it to the Court along with your completed Juror Questionnaire. If you have questions about your juror eligibility, please contact Court Services Coordinator Kelly Starkey by phone 740-652-7433 or 614-322-5275 or by e-mail kelly.starkey@fairfieldcountyohio.gov.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A JURY SUMMONS FOR A DECEASED FAMILY MEMBER?
The Court apologizes for any undue hardship this has caused. Please mark on the summons “DECEASED” and return it to the Court. We will take the name out of our system. The Court will forward this information to the Board of Elections. Otherwise, the name will remain on the records at the Board of Elections, which could result in another summons being issued in the future.
I RECEIVED A JURY SUMMONS FOR THE PREVIOUS RESIDENT OF MY HOME. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You should treat the summons as you would any other piece of mail that does not belong to you. Simply write “NOT AT THIS ADDRESS - RETURN TO SENDER” on the outside of the envelope and put it back in the mail. We will process it as an undelivered summons.
IF I AM ELIGIBLE, HOW WILL I KNOW IF I ACTUALLY HAVE TO REPORT?
To determine whether you need to report on your scheduled date(s), please call the Jury Service number at 740-652-7433 or 614-322-5275 after 4:30 p.m. the day before your reporting date. If Monday is a holiday, the jury message can be accessed beginning after 4:30 p.m. on the previous Friday. You will be able to access the message until Tuesday morning.
When you call the Jury Service number, you will be informed whether you are required to report for jury service or whether you are excused for the week. If you are called in to report, you must be at the Hall of Justice (224 E. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, 2nd Floor) by 9:00 a.m. You need to bring a valid driver’s license or a picture I.D. with you when reporting.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T SHOW UP?
Your jury summons is an official court order. If you fail to report for jury duty without a lawful excuse from the Court, you may be held in contempt of Court. If found in contempt by the Judge, the Judge may impose a fine and/or other punishment as provided by Ohio law.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A JURY SUMMONS FOR A DECEASED FAMILY MEMBER?
The Court apologizes for any undue hardship this has caused. Please mark on the summons “DECEASED” and return it to the Court. We will take the name out of our system. The Court will forward this information to the Board of Elections. Otherwise, the name will remain on the records at the Board of Elections, which could result in another summons being issued in the future.
I RECEIVED A JURY SUMMONS FOR THE PREVIOUS RESIDENT OF MY HOME. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You should treat the summons as you would any other piece of mail that does not belong to you. Simply write “NOT AT THIS ADDRESS - RETURN TO SENDER” on the outside of the envelope and put it back in the mail. We will process it as an undelivered summons.
IF I AM ELIGIBLE, HOW WILL I KNOW IF I ACTUALLY HAVE TO REPORT?
To determine whether you need to report on your scheduled date(s), please call the Jury Service number at 740-652-7433 or 614-322-5275 after 4:30 p.m. the day before your reporting date. If Monday is a holiday, the jury message can be accessed beginning after 4:30 p.m. on the previous Friday. You will be able to access the message until Tuesday morning.
When you call the Jury Service number, you will be informed whether you are required to report for jury service or whether you are excused for the week. If you are called in to report, you must be at the Hall of Justice (224 E. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, 2nd Floor) by 9:00 a.m. You need to bring a valid driver’s license or a picture I.D. with you when reporting.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T SHOW UP?
Your jury summons is an official court order. If you fail to report for jury duty without a lawful excuse from the Court, you may be held in contempt of Court. If found in contempt by the Judge, the Judge may impose a fine and/or other punishment as provided by Ohio law.
HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO SERVE AS A JUROR?
Starting with your first reporting date, you will be “on call” as a juror for a period of three weeks. If you are seated on a jury panel, you will be required to appear for jury duty that day and each day thereafter until the trial is concluded. The length of each trial varies from one day to over a week, but most trials are usually 2-3 days. Trials typically begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. Please keep this in mind when you are scheduling around your report dates.
Starting with your first reporting date, you will be “on call” as a juror for a period of three weeks. If you are seated on a jury panel, you will be required to appear for jury duty that day and each day thereafter until the trial is concluded. The length of each trial varies from one day to over a week, but most trials are usually 2-3 days. Trials typically begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. Please keep this in mind when you are scheduling around your report dates.
WHAT IF I HAVE A SCHEDULING CONFLICT WITH JURY SERVICE?
A temporary deferral of jury duty can be granted under certain circumstances such as a pre-scheduled vacation, medical procedure, or other hardship. You must submit your request for deferral in writing by completing the Jury Excuse Form that you received in your juror packet. You must include details of your conflict and any documentation you have supporting your request.
HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID FOR JURY SERVICE?
You will receive $30.00 for each day that you report in-person for jury service. Jurors are paid regardless of whether or not they are ultimately selected to serve as a juror during trial. A check will be mailed 2-3 weeks after the completion of your jury service.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK?
The Fairfield County Common Pleas Court, General Division is located on the second floor of the Hall of Justice at 224 East Main Street in Lancaster. When reporting for jury duty, please arrive with ample time to find parking. The parking directly in front of the Hall of Justice is limited to a half hour and is strictly enforced. You will be here for more than half hour, so please do not park in those spots. The Court recommends parking at the beginning of the next block, on side streets, or in the public parking lot directly across from the Hall of Justice.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
While there is no formal “dress code,” you should use good judgment and report for jury duty appropriately dressed. Since you may be sitting in place for a considerable length of time, you should dress comfortably. Also, it is recommended that you dress in layers or bring a sweater.
A temporary deferral of jury duty can be granted under certain circumstances such as a pre-scheduled vacation, medical procedure, or other hardship. You must submit your request for deferral in writing by completing the Jury Excuse Form that you received in your juror packet. You must include details of your conflict and any documentation you have supporting your request.
HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID FOR JURY SERVICE?
You will receive $30.00 for each day that you report in-person for jury service. Jurors are paid regardless of whether or not they are ultimately selected to serve as a juror during trial. A check will be mailed 2-3 weeks after the completion of your jury service.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK?
The Fairfield County Common Pleas Court, General Division is located on the second floor of the Hall of Justice at 224 East Main Street in Lancaster. When reporting for jury duty, please arrive with ample time to find parking. The parking directly in front of the Hall of Justice is limited to a half hour and is strictly enforced. You will be here for more than half hour, so please do not park in those spots. The Court recommends parking at the beginning of the next block, on side streets, or in the public parking lot directly across from the Hall of Justice.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
While there is no formal “dress code,” you should use good judgment and report for jury duty appropriately dressed. Since you may be sitting in place for a considerable length of time, you should dress comfortably. Also, it is recommended that you dress in layers or bring a sweater.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions regarding your jury service, please contact Court Services Coordinator Kelly Starkey at 740-652-7433 or 614-322-5275, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You may also e-mail Ms. Starkey at kelly.starkey@fairfieldcountyohio.gov. If mailing any documents, please send to Kelly Starkey, Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, Room 211, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.
If you have any questions regarding your jury service, please contact Court Services Coordinator Kelly Starkey at 740-652-7433 or 614-322-5275, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You may also e-mail Ms. Starkey at kelly.starkey@fairfieldcountyohio.gov. If mailing any documents, please send to Kelly Starkey, Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, Room 211, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.