How much notice will I be given that I am to appear for jury service?

A letter of notice is mailed to the potential citizen two to three weeks prior to the selection date.

Do I have to respond to the summons to jury service?

Yes. The summons to appear for jury service is an official court order. If you do not respond, you could be held in contempt of court.

What if I no longer live in Ferndale, Madison Heights or Hazel Park?

You will be required to provide the Court with a copy of your driver’s license with the correct change of address.

I received a questionnaire for my spouse or relative who is deceased. What should I do?

A death certificate should be provided to the Jury Clerk to confirm the citizen’s passing prior to the date of selection.

How long am I on call for jury service?

Our jury selections are scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month. You may anticipate spending a couple of hours at the Court for the selection process. If you are not chosen to sit on a jury, your jury duty is deemed complete. If you are selected to determine a case, you will be given a date on which to return, prior to leaving on Tuesday morning. Our trials generally last one day to a day and a half.

Can jury service be rescheduled?

Because our jury trials are particularly short in duration, we try to avoid postponement of your duty. However, if you must be excused (a prior scheduled vacation or previously scheduled business out of town are considered reasonable requests) the Court will reschedule you to appear at a later date. Nursing students and college students who reside out of town will be excused upon proof. Medical requests, to be excused, must be followed up by a written confirmation from your doctor.

What about my job?

Your employer cannot fire, demote, or otherwise penalize you for missing work while performing jury service. Many employers will continue to pay your salary while you are in jury service. Contact your employer to find out what the policy is at your place of employment.

What hours will I serve?

Jury trials are held during normal court hours which are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How am I compensated?

You will be paid $12.50 per half day of service and $.10 per mile from your home. This amount is set by the state legislature and is considered reimbursement for your travel and other expense.

Will I receive proof of my jury service for my employer?

Yes, you may obtain a letter at the court counter to provide to your employer any time you appear in our court for jury service. You will also receive a certificate of completion in one to two months after you have finished your duty.

What Is the Dress Code?

Your appearance as a juror reflects the seriousness of the proceedings. The dress code is appropriate business attire. For more information on dress code, visit court rules.

What if an unexpected emergency keeps me from coming to the courthouse while I'm on a jury?

It is very important that all jurors report each day they are told to report and that they be on time. Your absence may delay a trial. If you have an emergency, such as a death in the family, please contact the Court immediately.