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You are summoned to be on-call for Federal Jury Duty for the term noted on your summons:
This does not necessarily mean that you will report every day for the entire term.
You may have to call the 800 number multiple times during the term.
You may be selected to start service at any time within the term.
You will serve for the entire duration of any trial for which you are selected, even if you are selected on the last day of your term.
Trials generally average 3-5 days each.
In normal circumstances, you are only required to serve on one trial.
On the date you are selected for service, the presiding judge will advise you regarding the estimated length of your trial.
Usual trial business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These times are subject to change.
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You may respond to this summons in one of two ways:
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On-line - Visit the JURORS section of our web page and log onto the e-JUROR program.
You will need your juror participant number, found at the top of your summons to the right of the bar code.
Keep the original summons if you answer on-line with e-JUROR.
Do not mail the response card if you answer the summons using e-JUROR.
You may update name and address information using e-JUROR.
You may submit excuse or postponement requests using e-JUROR.
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By mail - Complete and return the response card portion of your summons.
Keep the top part of your summons.
Mail the detachable response card, along with any excuse or postponement request, in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Please update name, address or other information on the response card.
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Before actually reporting for any jury service, you are instructed to call 1.800.342.2539 for updated instructions:
You will call this number after 6:00 p.m. the last business day (M-F) before your scheduled reporting date.
If your reporting date is for a Monday or the day after a holiday, the message will be available over the weekend or holiday.
LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE MESSAGE EACH TIME YOU CALL.
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WHEN CALLING 1.800.342.2539:
You will need your juror participant number, found on your summons to the right of the bar code. For example: 100123456
When the system answers, select option 1. Enter your participant number and verify the first three letters of your last name.
Listen to the ENTIRE message. Follow the instructions given in the recorded message as they may differ from what is stated within your summons package.
The system is typically very busy the first 15 minutes of each hour. IF the system is overloaded at the time you call, you will not be able to enter your participant number and you will need to call later in the evening. To minimize overloads, we ask that jurors whose last names start with the letters A-M call between 6-7:00 p.m. and those whose last names start with N-Z call between 7-8:00 p.m. The message will be available overnight.
Severe weather issues, if any, will also be addressed on the recording.
You will not be paid for service if the recorded message instructed you not to report.
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You will serve at the United States (Federal) Courthouse located at the address noted on your summons:
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina covers 44 counties. The Court will call jurors to serve as noted below.
You may be called to serve in Raleigh or Fayetteville if you live in: Cumberland, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne or Wilson County.
You may be called to serve in Wilmington if you live in: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Robeson or Sampson County.
You may be called to serve in Greenville or New Bern if you live in: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Pamlico or Pitt County.
You may be called to serve in Elizabeth City if you live in: Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell or Washington County.
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Hardship excuses or requests for postponement must be in writing and must contain a detailed explanation:
If the jury service for which you are summoned will result in undue hardship or extreme inconvenience because of a grave illness in your family or another similar, serious problem, you may ask for an excuse or temporary postponement.
Requests for postponement or excuse are due by noon on the Wednesday immediately preceding your reporting date.
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You may ask for an excuse or postponement in one of two ways:
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On-line at www.nced.uscourts.gov and logging into e-JUROR. This system will accept requests up to 7 days before the jury service date noted on your summons.
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In writing with the mailed response card and a detailed letter.
*If you need to submit a request after you have mailed the response card or within 7 days of your summons reporting date, you may fax the letter to: 919.645.1758 or e-mail the jury office directly.
Explain your situation. Insufficient information will cause your request to be denied.
Submit your request immediately upon receipt of this summons or immediately upon learning of any serious problem.
Postponement or excuse requests presented on the date you report for service, other than for severe health issues, will usually be denied.
Please note that work is generally considered a hardship for everyone. Work situations can be considered for rescheduling requests. If you submit a postponement request based on work issues, make sure to include another month(s) in which you can be rescheduled.
For more information on typical postponement or excuse requests, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
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Getting an answer to your postponement/excuse request:
Allow 5-7 business days after submitting your postponement or excuse request. Answers are recorded daily as they are ruled upon.
Then you may either:
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Log back into e-JUROR and check your reporting status or
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Call AJIS at 1-800-342-2539. Select option 1. Enter your 9-digit juror participant number as instructed. Verify the first three letters of your last name.
The system will give you the current status of your request. If the system says your request has been received, that means it is still waiting for an answer.
IF your request has not been given a final answer of denied, rescheduled, deferred (postponed) or excused by 8:00 a.m. on the last business day (M-F) before your scheduled reporting date, call 1-800-342-2539, option 2 before 12:00 noon.
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This summons is for Federal Court, not County Court:
County courts, judges, sheriffs, and district attorneys DO NOT have the authority to excuse you from service in our court.
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Parking instructions are enclosed with your summons:
Read them carefully as towing is enforced.
The court does not reimburse for towing costs or parking tickets.
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Distance issues:
If you live more than 70 miles one way from the courthouse and you are selected for service on a trial, we can provide you with a hotel at our expense. If you wish to take advantage of this option, please pack for a 3-5 day stay and the deputy clerk will assist you with hotel arrangements upon your selection for service as a trial juror.
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Payment and mileage issues:
Jurors are currently paid $ 40.00 per day in attendance fees. (Except federal employees other than postal.)
Jurors are reimbursed round trip mileage expenses from home to the courthouse.
Checks are issued weekly.
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Failure to comply with a summons:
Can be punishable as a contempt of court.
Possible penalties are a fine of up to $1,000.00, jail, and/or community service.
Unless you are excused, deferred, rescheduled or instructed that your service is over when you call the 800 number, you must comply with the directions issued by the automated attendant at 1-800-342-2539.
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DO NOT BRING:
WEAPONS OF ANY TYPE. This Prohibition DOES apply to conceal and carry permit holders, it also includes pocket knives and knitting needles.
CELL PHONES, PAGERS, LAPTOPS, OR ANY COMMUNICATION DEVICES.
CAMERAS OR ANY RECORDING DEVICES.
ANY READING MATERIALS.
Upon conclusion of the jury selection process, the judge will provide specific directions to jurors as to whether cell phones or laptops will be permitted.
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Where do I find help if I still have questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Call the jury office at: 1.800.342.2539, option 2.
E-mail the jury office
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