What is a grand jury?
How long must I serve?
How often will I serve?
How will I be notified regarding monthly service during my term?
What if I need to miss or be excused from a particular grand jury meeting?
What about severe/inclement weather situations?
How do I tell my employer that I have
been selected for grand jury service?
What about my job?
What is a grand jury?
A federal grand jury is composed of 23 jurors who come together to hear testimony or to be presented other evidence for
the purpose of determining whether or not an individual or organization should be indicted or formally charged with a crime.
A federal grand jury does not actually determine guilt or innocence. The grand jury only determines whether or not there is
sufficient evidence to reasonably believe that a person or organization should be or should not be charged with a crime. If
the grand jury does return an indictment, the individual or business may then be brought to trial before a petit or trial
jury for determination of guilt or innocence.
The grand jury serves as an important safeguard for citizens. The grand jury system requires that the government make a
reasonable showing of a crime to a body of average citizens before the government can bring felony charges against an
individual or organization.
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How long must I serve?
Service on a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina is typically 18 months. On occasion, a grand jury may
be extended to the maximum service time of 24 months.
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How often will I serve?
Our grand juries typically meet 1-3 days each month.
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How will I be notified regarding monthly service during my term?
Monthly reminders are mailed approximately one week prior to each scheduled meeting. If a meeting is to be cancelled, you
will receive a notice as well.
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What if I need to miss or be excused from a particular grand jury meeting?
You will contact your foreperson to make arrangements for short-term excuses. Long-term excuses (for more than three
months) will need to be approved by a judge. In the case of a long-term excuse request, you will submit a letter of
explanation to the jury clerk. The jury clerk will then consult with one of the judges and then advise you regarding the
outcome of your request.
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What about severe/inclement weather situations?
This instruction is for grand jurors ONLY.
The jury clerk and the judges routinely track anticipated weather situations. We normally try to notify everyone by phone
the day before any anticipated problems; however, sometimes the unexpected does happen overnight or we are unable to make an
informed decision the day before a possible weather situation. In this event, you will call the 1-800-342-2529 number and
enter your juror participant number for updated instructions.
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How do I tell my employer that I have been selected for grand jury service?
A standard form letter for employers will be mailed to you upon your selection as a grand juror.
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What about my job?
Your employment is protected pursuant to 28 U.S. Code Section 1875 which reads in part: "No employer shall
discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee's jury service, or
the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of the United States..." Any
employer who violates the provisions of this section:
- Shall be liable for damages for any loss of wages or other benefits suffered by an employee by reason of such
violation;
- May be enjoined from further violation of this section and ordered to provide other appropriate relief, including but
not limited to the reinstatement of any employee discharged by reason of his/her jury service; and
- Shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00 for each violation as to each employee.
Any juror, grand juror, or potential juror who experiences such behavior should patiently listen to the
employer and then contact the jury clerk or other court officer immediately.
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