Jury Commissioner



	Jury Service

	Frequently Asked Questions
	1. How am I selected for jury service?
	You are selected from a list of registered voters, licensed drivers and persons with an MVA identification card. The first time you are selected you are sent a questionnaire to determine if you qualify for jury service. You cannot serve on a jury in Baltimore City if you are not a resident of Baltimore City, have been convicted of a felony, or have a matter currently pending in the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Jurors who are qualified are selected on a random basis.
	2. How long do I have to serve?
	In Baltimore City, if you are selected, you are required to serve for the length of one trial. Most trials last two or three days; however some trials may take longer. The trial day usually ends at 5 p.m. If you are not selected for a trial, you are dismissed from jury service at the end of the day on which you are summoned. There may be occasions when the jury selection process lasts longer than one day and then you are required to attend a second day. You can be called once a year for jury service.
	3. Do I get paid for my service?
	In Baltimore City, you are paid $15 a day for jury service
	4. Where do I park?
	There are a number of parking garages in the vicinity of the Clarence Mitchell Courthouse which is on Fayette and Calvert Streets. Be sure you do not park at a meter or in a garage that closes early.
	5. Is child care or elder care provided?
	While the Circuit Court is working to establish a system to care for young children and elderly adults in the future, at the current time we do not provide these services.
	6. If I have a legitimate reason why I cannot serve on my assigned day for jury service or if I have a health issue, what should I do?
	Call the Jury Commissioner at (410) 333-3775 and explain your situation. If possible, the Jury Commissioner's Office will select a mutually acceptable date for you to serve on jury service at that time. If you are able to serve but have some special needs let the Jury Commissioner know and we will try to accommodate you. If you ignore your summons you may be found in contempt after a hearing and sentenced up to three days in jail and/or $100 fine.
	7. What am I allowed to do while I wait to be selected for jury service? Can I bring my lunch?
	Several rooms are available for your use while waiting to be called to a courtroom for jury selection. In some rooms, movies are shown during the day. In other rooms, you may use battery-operated laptop computers. A third room is available if you need to do work that require quiet. You are also allowed to bring a cellular telephone with you while on jury service but it must be turned off and used only for out-going calls. You can bring your lunch with you; however you will be excused from the waiting rooms at lunch time and may leave the building to obtain lunch at one of the many restaurants located in the downtown area. Bathroom facilities and various food machines are available in the jury rooms for your use. Smoking is not permitted.
	8. I am over 70 years old, do I still have to serve?
	For Baltimore City residents that are over the age of 70 jury service is optional. If you are over 70 and decide you do not wish to be considered for jury selection, you must contact the Jury Commissioner's Office and let them know.
	9. What information about me will be given to the litigants who are picking the jury?
	Before jury selection begins, the litigants are told your name, your age, your occupation, the highest level of education you achieved, your marital status, and your spouse's occupation. At jury selection, additional questions are asked to determine if you can be fair to both sides if you are selected to serve on the jury.
	10. What is the difference between a grand juror and a petit juror?
	A grand Juror sits for a four month term as part of the Grand Jury, which is made up of 23 people. A member of the grand jury determines whether there is a probable cause to charge someone with a crime. A Grand Jury also can conduct its own investigations. A petit juror sits, listens to evidence in a courtroom and determines the facts in a particular case.

Frequently Asked Questions