Use good judgment and dress conservatively.

Conservative dress means:

• Slacks and shirt
• Skirt and blouse
• Or a dress

Shorts or tank tops are always inappropriate.

 Please consider dressing in layers as jury service will involve several rooms throughout the building and temperatures may vary greatly.

Be aware that there are frequent breaks throughout the day for selected jurors. It may be a good idea to bring a book or something to occupy your time.

Notifications to employer are available.

Fees paid are subject to change.

Jurors will be paid via debit cards issued through CourtFunds. Click the link to watch a short video on how the process works.

Jurors are chosen by the following qualifications:

• Driver’s licenses or State Identification cards (provided by the Secretary of States office)
• Names are chosen at random
• Qualifications of a juror (age, citizenship, etc.)

As a juror, you become part of our legal system in the administration of justice for all persons. The judge determines the law while the jury decides the facts. The success of our legal system is measured directly by the dedication, impartiality, sound judgment and integrity of those like you who serve as jurors.

This page is designed to answer some common questions about your service as a juror. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask the jury clerk.

SELECTION OF A JURY
A jury trial begins with the selection of the jury. In Circuit Court civil cases, six or more jurors are chosen. In Circuit Court criminal cases, 12 or more jurors are chosen. Up to two “alternate” jurors are often seated in case illness or other unforeseen circumstances require a juror to be excused from service during a trial. If the alternates are not needed they are excused just before deliberation begins.

The prospective jurors are first required to swear that they will answer truthfully all questions that will be asked them about their qualifications to serve as trial jurors in the pending case. The court then calls some jurors to take seats in the jury box. The judge addresses the jurors, telling them a little about the case. Then the judge or attorneys question the jurors for the purpose of determining whether their minds are free of any bias or prejudice that might interfere with their ability to act as fair and impartial jurors. Each side can excuse a certain number of jurors. You may be excused “for cause” if you are related to or acquainted with any of the parties involved. Additionally, a “peremptory challenge” allows each side to excuse a juror without giving a reason. If you are excused, with or without a given reason, you should understand that it’s nothing personal and is no reflection on you. You may in fact be selected to sit on another trial.

OPENING STATEMENTS
As the trial begins, the attorneys for each side usually will make opening statements. The purpose of opening statements is to give you the framework of the case and to outline the evidence by which each side expects to present to prove what they say are the facts. It is important to note that opening statements are not to be considered as evidence – they are only the parties’ respective versions of the facts as they claim them to be.

EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES
Evidence is testimony or exhibits that relate to the fact in dispute. Testimony is the sworn statement of a witness. Listen closely to the witnesses as they testify. If you cannot hear plainly, interrupt the proceedings by raising a hand. An exhibit is a physical article, such as a document, a weapon, or a photograph that relates to the case.

SUMMATION
After all evidence has been introduced each side gives their summation, or closing argument, stating the reasons why they think their client should prevail. As with opening statements, closing arguments are not to be considered as evidence.

JUDGE’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LAW
After the summation the judge will instruct you on the law that applies to the case. You must apply that law to the facts to arrive at your verdict. Be sure to give close attention to all instructions given by the judge.

JURY DELIBERATIONS
Only six persons in a civil case and 12 persons in a Circuit Court criminal case are allowed to deliberate. If alternates were chosen, the extra jurors are removed before deliberation begins.

Once in the jury room, your first job is to select a foreperson. The foreperson is responsible for seeing that discussions are carried on in a free and orderly manner and that every juror has a chance to speak out. The foreperson also conducts any votes that are taken and signs any requests the jury may make of the judge.

Should a jury feel that it is necessary to be re-instructed, be further instructed on the law or have a question answered, the jury may ask the judge by passing a note through the court officer.

The verdict in a criminal case must be unanimous. The verdict in a civil case requires five of the six jurors to agree. Discussion in the jury room should be open and frank. Each juror should feel free to express their opinions, and be open to the opinions of other jurors. The goal of deliberation is agreement on a verdict, but no juror should try to force another to adopt his or her position. The process of careful and thorough reasoning generally allows jurors to reach a verdict.

THE VERDICT
The foreperson will report to the judge when the jury has arrived at a verdict. The jurors will re-enter the courtroom and the verdict will be read in open court. Either side may ask for a poll of the jury, meaning that the court will ask each juror individually whether that is his or her verdict.

CONCLUSION
Whether you are selected as a juror for one of the courts in Shiawassee County, or were merely available to be selected, your importance cannot be overstated. A great many jury cases are disposed of by settlement because you are ready and available. The judges and courthouse staff hope that your service will be pleasant and rewarding.

PARKING

Parking available in lots on the south side of the Courthouse in Corunna, Michigan.

SECURITY

To provide for the safety of all visitors and employees who use the Shiawassee County Courthouse, all individuals entering the courthouse will pass through metal detectors and are subject to search. Please be sure to allow extra time to pass through security.

Shiawassee County Courthouse
35th Judicial Circuit Court
208 North Shiawassee Street
Corunna, Michigan 48817

Jury Clerk (989) 743-2227
Jury Fax (989) 743-2602
Jury Hotline (989) 743-2606 call Monday after 5pm
c35jury@shiawassee.net

Please note: The above contact information is for Circuit Court Jury Duty ONLY.

Jury Duty Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Jury Service Important?
The United States Constitution guarantees all people, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status, the right to trial by an impartial jury.  Jury service is one of the most important duties that members of a free society are called upon to perform.

What Is My Duty As A Juror?
As a juror, you must be fair and impartial. Your actions and decisions must be free of any bias or prejudice. Your actions and decisions are the foundation of our judicial system.

How Was I Selected?
Potential jurors are selected randomly from the State of Michigan Driver’s License List and Personal Identification Cardholder list for individuals residing in Shiawassee County. The selection method is designed to produce a cross section of the community. Men and women over 18 years of age and from all walks of life have an equal opportunity to be called for jury service.

Who Is Qualified To Serve?

To be qualified, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be able to speak and understand English
• Be a resident of Shiawassee County
• Have not served in District or Circuit Court in the past 12 months
• Have not been convicted of a felony

Who Can Be Excused From Jury Service?

• Those who are 70 years of age or older and do not want to serve
• Generally speaking, other excuses are not considered, except for those who have their doctor fax an excuse for health-related reasons. Excuses should specify whether the health-related reasons are short-term or lifelong disabilities.
• Full-time, year round students must submit a copy of the class schedule that indicates that they are in class during the day. Full-time students who do not attend in the summer will be deferred (postponed) to a summer Term.

Why am I called every year and I know people who have never been called?

Juror information is provided to us by the Secretary of State Office in Lansing. These names are taken from the driver’s license and state ID card listing which the Secretary of State’s Office maintains. Names are then randomly selected by computer system

How Do I Know When To Report For Jury Duty?

You are not required to be at the Courts every day for your week of service.  You will be required to attend on Tuesday if the trial is not cancelled.  You will know on the Monday before of each scheduled trial date if you are required to appear.  The recorded message will explain which juror panel(s) and at which Court and time you are to appear.  

What If The Trial Is Canceled?

You do not have to report for your date of service.  This means you have fulfilled your requirement for jury service for that week. You are only required to call in Monday; trials will not be scheduled to start on Wednesday through Friday.

What Happens If I Do Not Show For Jury Duty?

You will be sent an Order to Show Cause. This form will order you to report before a Circuit Court Judge to show cause why you should not be held in contempt of court for failing to appear for jury service. If you are found in contempt of court you can be fined or even jailed. If you fail to appear for the Show Cause hearing, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest.

What If I No Longer Reside In Shiawassee County?
If you no longer live in Shiawassee County, a request for excusal To Be Made In Writing may be submitted and mailed to the address that appears on your summons. Change of Residency proof (license, house deed, etc) must accompany your request to be excused.

Will I be Paid For Being A Juror?

For the first day of service, jurors are paid $15.00 for a half day (prior to 12:00 pm) and $30.00 for a full day, plus 25 cents per mile. Subsequent days of service will pay $22.50 for a half day and $45.00 for a full day, plus mileage.

Must My Employer Pay Me While I Am On Jury Service?

Your employer is not required to pay you while on jury service. However, employers are prohibited by law from firing, disciplining, or threatening an employee for serving as a juror.

What If I Have An Emergency?

If there is a grave illness in your family, or an equally serious problem that would constitute an undue hardship or extreme inconvenience for you to appear in court on the dates specified, you must notify the jury coordinator in writing as soon as possible.

What If I Have An Appointment Or Vacation Scheduled?

If you have an appointment or vacation scheduled, please submit the dates to the jury coordinator as soon as possible to allow ample time for your request to be processed.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL A FEW DAYS BEFORE YOUR PANEL IS CALLED.  Please send supporting documentation of your vacation or scheduled appointment with your written request.  Examples include airline ticket vouchers, hotel/campground reservations or appointment cards.  If these items are not received, a letter will be sent to you requesting this documentation and your request will not be processed until further documentation is received.