Jury Information FAQs

Contact: Jury Department, (312) 435-5684
 
Last Updated: 10/25/2002

Most Frequently Asked Questions on the Jury Line

1. When do I get paid?
   
   Jurors are paid within 3-5 business days of the end of the two week term.
    
2. May I still mail in my summons even though my five days to return it to your office have elapsed?
   
   Yes, you may return your info sheet after the five days have passed; however, this will give the court less time to process your request. If you are requesting to be excused or postponed, please fax your completed, information form to (312) 554-8673.
    
   Why did I receive a Follow-up letter, if I returned my info sheet to your office as requested?
   
   You were ordered to appear and did not follow instructions. A Follow-Up letter is automatically sent out to all jurors who are absent on their reporting dates. You are expected to appear UNLESS after you called (800) 572-4210 you were excused, postponed or told not to appear. If qualified, you must call (800) 572-4210 after 5:00 P.M. the night before your reporting date and every evening before the two-week term. Failure to abide by the reporting instructions will result in a Follow-Up letter. Failure to abide by the Follow-Up letter may result in a $100.00 fine, 3 days in prison or both [28USC 1886(g)].
    
3. May I postpone my jury service a second time?
   
   Generally, the court only grants one postponement. You may submit your written request to the jury department, who will forward it to the chief judge for a final decision. Assume you must appear as directed and follow the standard procedures unless told otherwise.
    
4. May I request to be transferred to a court that is closer to my home?
   
   Requests to be transferred to a closer location cannot be accommodated. There are two divisions in the Northern District of Illinois. They are located in Chicago and Rockford. In most situations you have been summoned to appear at the Federal Court closest to your home.
    
5. May I request an excuse or postponement over the telephone?
   
   No. In order to maintain an official record, requests to be excused or postponed must be submitted in writing.
    
6. If I serve on a trial, is my service over after the trial is completed?
   
   No. If you serve as a juror on a trial, at the end of the trial (regardless of its duration), your service will continue until the end of the two-term.
    
7. What time will I leave at the end of the day?
   
   A typical jury day begins at 9:00 A.M. and ends at 5:00 P.M. Your schedule will depend on the court's schedule.
    
8. What should a juror do if he cannot make it to jury duty on the day he was required to appear?
   
   You are expected to contact the jury section at (312) 435-5684, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. so that we may be aware of your situation. If you are a juror on a specific trial you will be given a least one emergency contact number. It is absolutely necessary that you call if you are going to be late or absent. A trial cannot proceed unless all jurors are present. Failure to appear as scheduled may result in a bench warrant.
    

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