Juror Instructions

• Bring your summons with you. The barcode is used to expedite the check-in procedure.
• Please arrive on time – The Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Judicial Center, 1132 Usher Street opens at 8:00am and the Jury Assembly room is located on the 2^nd
• Hours of service – Jurors are to appear at 8:00 a.m. on their report date.  Jury service may last beyond 5:00 p.m. on any given day.  Before you report for jury service, please make necessary arrangements to allow you to remain at Court until released.
• Trial Juror Length of Service – Jury service in Newton County operates on the one day/one trial system.  If selected to serve on a jury, the juror will serve for the duration of the trial.  If a person is not assigned to a case, their jury service will be complete at the end of the day.  If sent to a courtroom or selected to sit on a trial, jurors will serve until released by the judge.
• Grand Juror Length of Service – Each grand jury serves for a term of six (6) months, usually reporting once per month.
• Cellular phones and electronic devices are allowed; however, they must be turned off and not used in the courtrooms.
• Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Judicial Center.
• Attire – Casual business attire is required.  Shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, shirts with controversial depictions or wording, or similar dress are not allowed in the courtrooms.  The temperature in the courtroom is unpredictable, please dress accordingly.  Shoes must be worn at all times; beach sandals or flip-flops are prohibited.
• Employer Information – No employer may discharge or demote any employee because the employee has been called for jury service or is serving as a juror.  Jurors should notify their employer immediately of their jury service.  Jury Management will provide jurors with proof of service upon request.
• Failure to Appear – Jurors who fail to appear as directed and to attend until duly discharged are subject to a fine as well as potentially subject to the contempt powers of the Court.  The Court may sentence a person to confinement in the Newton County Jail under its contempt powers.