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District Court - Jury Commissioner

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1. When do I report for jury service?

 Do not report unless you have been called or emailed from the Jury Commission with a date, time, and location to report.

You will be notified a minimum of one day prior by the Jury Commission with the date, time, and location of your jury service. You may be notified by email, phone, or both. You will always be asked to reply to emails or voicemails. Check spam folders and voicemails for notifications.

Once the jury term begins you will not be excused or postponed to another term unless you have an emergency.

2. What if I cannot serve?

You will still need to complete your juror qualification form and submit it with one of the following:

                -Physician’s statement, OR

                -Class schedule, OR

                -Detailed description of your hardship

Your hardship will be reviewed, and you will be notified via email or mail if you are excused, moved to a new jury term, or if your request is denied and you will need to make arrangements to report if given a date, time, and location.

3. Do I have to fill out the entire qualification form?

Yes. You must answer questions 1-24, sign, and submit the completed qualification form within the time given. 

4. What if I am unable to serve during the dates on my summons?

You may request a one-time postponement to a new jury term. Requests must be made in writing and submitted at the same time as your completed Juror Qualification form. Include a date or month that will work better for you. You will be notified of the Judge’s decision.

5. How do I request a postponement or to be excused?

After completing questions #1-#24 on the online Juror Qualification form, select your hardship and add details in the text box provided. A link to upload your scanned documents is available before you submit your online form.

Do not wait until you have been called to report for jury duty to request a postponement.

If you do not have computer access and are filling out the paper Juror Qualification form, please mark the appropriate hardship and include a letter and required documentation explaining your hardship and return all forms in the prepaid envelope provided.

6. What if I'm over 70 years old?

If you are 70 years of age or older and do not want to serve, complete the Juror Qualification form, indicate you do not want to serve, and you will be excused per your request.

7. What if I’m a full time student and am not able to serve?

If you are a full time student you need to complete your Juror Qualification form and submit your hardship documentation (class schedule, internship letter, etc.) for consideration.

8. What are the qualifications to serve as a juror?

In order to serve as a juror, you must be:

• 19 years of age or older
• A citizen of the United States
• Physically and mentally capable
• A resident of the county from which you have been called

9. What may disqualify me as a juror?

The following may disqualify you:

• You have been convicted of a felony
• You are a judge, clerk of a District Court, a sheriff, or a jailer
• Your spouse has been summoned for the same jury term
• You and/or your spouse are a party to a lawsuit being heard during the same term you are summoned for
• You no longer reside in Lancaster County

10. What if I am unable to serve due to my health?

If you are unable to serve due to health conditions, you will need to provide a current physician's statement stating the nature of the health issue. However, you must still complete the Juror Qualification form.

After completing questions #1-#24 on the online Juror Qualification form, select medical hardship and add details in the text box provided. A link to upload your scanned documents is available before you submit your online form.

You may also ask the physician to fax the note directly to the Jury Commission at 402-441-6190.  A judge will review your situation and determine if you are to be excused.

11. What if I have moved out of Lancaster County?

Complete the Juror Qualification form and indicate you are a non-resident along with your new address.  

12. What if I do not read or speak English?

You do not need to speak perfect English to serve as a juror. If you cannot read or speak English, mark it on the Juror Qualification form and you will be excused. You may have someone else assist you in completing the juror qualification form.

13. What if I care for a child or adult with a medical condition?

If you are a primary caregiver for someone with a medical condition, complete your Juror Qualification form and submit a note from that person’s physician stating that you are their primary caregiver and need to be excused. Complete the online Juror Qualification form, select the extreme and extraordinary hardship, and add details in the text box provided. A link to upload your scanned documents is available before you submit your online form. You will be notified of the Judge’s decision.

The physician may fax the document directly to the Jury Commission at 402-441-6190.

Nursing mothers need to submit a physician’s note stating your status along with the completed Juror Qualification form to be excused.

14. What if I need special accommodations?

Please provide that information on question #24 of the Juror Qualification form for consideration.

15. What if I am a nursing mother?

You are required to provide physician's note with your name, your child's name, that you are a nursing mother, and that you need to be excused along with your completed Juror Qualification form. A link to upload your doctor’s note is available before you submit your online form or have the physician fax it directly to the Jury Commission at 402-441-6190.  Confirmation of your excusal will be mailed or emailed to you once it is processed.

16. What if I am self-employed?

Nebraska law does not provide exemptions for self-employed people.  Most jury trials last on average one to three days. You can let the Jury Commission know prior to being notified to report if you need extra notice and we will do our best to assist you. 

17. What if my request to be excused is denied?

If a Judge denies your request to be excused, you are required to make arrangements and report if notified.

18. What are the operating hours of the Courts?

The Courts are open from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday except for legal holidays.

19. Where is the Jury Commission office?

In the Clerk of the District Court, 3^rd Floor at the Justice and Law Enforcement Center 575 S 10^th St, Lincoln NE 68508.

20. Is the Jury Commissioner elected or appointed?

Elected. The Clerk of the District Court of Lancaster County also serves as the Jury Commissioner.

21. Where do I report for jury service?

Hall of Justice and Law Enforcement, 575 S 10^th Street. If alternate location is required, you will be given specific directions.

22. Where do I park?

Parking is available north of the buildings at 10^th and K Streets. Entrances are on both K Street and 10^th Street.

Alternate parking is at Carriage Park garage at 11^th and L Streets.

23. Will I get paid for jury service?

You will receive $35.00 plus mileage per day you are required to report.

24. How do I get paid for jury service?

Checks are generally mailed out 2 to 3 weeks after the last day of the jury panel.

25. What items are prohibited in the Hall of Justice?

1. Knives of any type.

2. Firearms, knuckles, clubs.

3. Chemical agents (mace, OC, pepper spray, etc.)

4. Non-prescription controlled substances.          

5. Glass bottles.

6. Any item which by its possession, is prohibited by statute.

26. How do jurors get picked for jury duty?

Jurors are randomly picked from a combined list of the Lancaster County Voter Registration List and Driver's License/State Identification Card Holder's List.

27. Why do I have to serve as a juror?

As a juror, you participate in an important public process and fulfill a civic obligation. All persons accused of a crime or involved in a civil dispute have a constitutional right to have a jury decide their cases. When you serve on a jury, you make important decisions affecting other people's lives as well as your own community.

Nebraska State Statute 25-1650 states: 

(3) No qualified potential juror is exempt from jury service, except that any person seventy years of age or older who makes a request to be exempt to the court at the time the Juror Qualification form is filed with the jury commissioner or who makes such a request in writing after being qualified and summoned shall be exempt from serving on grand and petit juries.

28. Will my employer allow me to take time off for jury service?

Your employer is required by law to allow you to report for jury service. You cannot be fired, lose pay, made to use sick leave or vacation, or be punished in any way. Your employer is required by state law to pay your regular shift pay for the time you are at jury service.

29. What if I need a statement to show my employer the days I served on jury duty?

You may obtain a statement at the end of your jury service from the Judge's bailiff or from the Jury Commissioner's Office:

575 S 10th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508

Phone: 402-441-6553

Email your request to: jurycomm@lancaster.ne.gov

30. How long does a trial take?

The length of each trial varies depending on the type of trial, the complexity of the issues involved with that trial, and how long jurors are expected to spend in deliberations. Most trials are completed within a few days to a week. However, occasionally there are trials that may last more than two weeks. 

During a trial's jury selection process (which is also known as voir dire), the judge and the attorneys involved with the trial will indicate how long they expect the trial to last. Judges are aware that long trials may be difficult for some people.

It will be your responsibility to let the judge know if it may be a serious hardship for you to serve on a long trial. Please be patient during the jury selection process, because other potential jurors may have similar concerns about time.

31. What happens if there is inclement weather?

If you are to serve on jury duty and do not know if you should come in due to inclement weather, please call the Jury Commissioner's Office at 402-441-6553.

32. What if I am called as a grand juror?

The grand jury is different from a trial jury (known as a petit jury). People called for grand jury duty should follow the instructions on the summons.

If inquires need to be made call 402-441-6553.

33. What do I wear for jury service?

Our judges suggest an outfit that is comfortable and presentable, which means attire ranging from business casual to casual Friday. If you wear a uniform to work and will not have time to change before reporting for jury service, your uniform is appropriate attire.