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Jury Department

Jury Department Clerk: Kristin Leffler
Jury Commissioners: Bill Poluka and Joseph Steber
P.O. Box 131
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Phone: (570) 325-4759
Fax: (570) 325-9449

Jury Duty Information

 

Carbon County’s Jury Department, with the help of a state-of-the-art computer system, selects, qualifies, and summons jurors each month for civil and criminal trials.

The Court is very sensitive to the convenience of jurors as well as the sacrifice made in serving as jurors. If you are selected as a juror, you will serve for the duration of that trial only. The typical trial is normally completed in one day. If you are not selected, you will be dismissed. In either case, you will have fulfilled your jury service obligation and will not be called again for at least three years.

Prior to their scheduled appearance, jurors telephone a voice mail system to determine if they are required to report, or if inclement weather or other developments require a change in the court date or time.

Jurors report on the first day of the trial term (session) and are selected for all cases scheduled for that term. They are either assigned a specific trial date or instructed to call the voice mail system for their assignments.

SELECTION FOR JURY SERVICE

Juror buttonEach session (approximately 10 per yr.),
questionnaires are mailed to prospective jurors. Their names are pulled by computer from a master resident file compiled from registered licensed drivers, voters, tax payers, and high school listings. The questionnaire is to be completed and returned within 5 days. An official summons is also a part of this mailing.

 

In order to qualify for jury service you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
  • You must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
  • You must be physically and mentally able to perform the functions of a juror.
  • You must be a United States citizen at the time you are summoned.
  • You must be a Carbon resident and at least 18 years of age to serve on Jury Duty in the 56th Judicial District of Carbon County.

 

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR JURY SERVICE:

  • Complete and mail the Questionnaire back to the Jury Department within 5 days of receipt. Bring the Summons with you when you report. Be sure to carefully read all of the instructions before you report for service. Report to 2nd Floor, Courthouse, Courtroom #1.
  • If you wish to request a postponement or need to be excused from jury service for an extreme hardship, you must indicate the new date and/or reason and return it with the completed questionnaire and return it within 5 days.
  • In an effort to accommodate persons with disabilities, please notify the Jury Department within 5 days from receipt of summons for jury service.
  • YOU MUST BRING THE ORIGINAL SUMMONS WITH YOU WHEN YOU REPORT FOR SERVICE. DO NOT GIVE YOUR ORIGINAL SUMMONS TO YOUR EMPLOYER. PROOF OF JURY SERVICE IS ATTACHED TO THE JURY FEE CHECK. DAILY PROOF OF JURY SERVICE CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE PROTHONOTARY’S OR CLERK OF COURTS OFFICE.
  • PLEASE REMEMBER: WEAPONS, INCLUDING PEN KNIVES, CUTTING INSTRUMENTS, PEPPER GAS AND MACE ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE BUILDING AND WILL BE CONFISCATED AND NOT RETURNED. CELLULAR PHONES ARE ALSO NOT PERMITTED IN THE COURTHOUSE.

IF YOU REQUEST AN EXCUSAL:

  • Mail the completed questionnaire back to the Jury Department. If your request is approved, an excusal will be mailed to you.
  • If you are mentally or physically unable to serve as a juror, provide medical certification from your doctor with your completed questionnaire.
  • If you are requesting a job related excuse, your employer should certify the hardship by letter with your signature in agreement.

 

THE QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE COMPLETED AND MAILED BACK TO THE JURY DEPARTMENT WITHIN 5 DAYS OF RECEIPT WHETHER YOU QUALIFY OR DO NOT QUALIFY.

 

All qualified prospective jurors are

 

placed on a stand-by list. A stand-by

 

postcard is mailed to each juror about 4

 

days before your service date. The

 

postcard reminds you of your jury duty

 

and instructs you to call a pre-recorded

 

message the weekend before your

 

service for stand-by instructions.

 

JURY SERVICE IN THE COURTHOUSE

  • DRESS CODE: Proper attire is required in court. Individuals wearing shorts, tanktops, swimwear, and any other inappropriate garment will not be allowed into the courtrooms.
  • INCLEMENT WEATHER INSTRUCTIONS: If driving conditions are hazardous on your jury service day due to inclement weather, please tune into WYNS 1160 AM or WLSH 1410 AM on your radio dial for postponements or cancellations.
  • Prospective jurors view a video orientation, complete a Questionnaire, and are assigned a badge and juror number. Show juror badge (for the questioning of voir dire process).
  • For those jurors who are in a courtroom, a lunch break is determined by the presiding Judge. Currently, the rate of jury fees in the Court of Common Pleas of Carbon County is $9.00 each day for the first three days and $25.00 each day, beginning the fourth day of jury service. Proof of completed service is attached to the jury fee check. All who served are paid when their service is completed, at the end of the trial.

 

Juror Utilization

 

1997

1998

1999

2000

Juror Days

1,250

1,294

1,157

970

Number sent to Voir Dire

1,002

967

629

817

Sworn Jurors

278

298

171

284

Voir Dire Begun

27

28

16

24

Jury Trials Begun

20

18

10

21

Pool Days

10

10

15

10

Zero Panel Days

0

0

1

1

Jury Fees Incurred ($)

20,621

23,422

22,330

18,431