Departments

Jury Clerk
54-B District Court
101 Linden St.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone number: (517) 336-8639
Fax number: (517) 351-3371

juryclk@cityofeastlansing.com

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. Justice ultimately depends to a large measure upon the quality of the jurors who serve in our Courts. That is why your service as a juror is so important. As a juror, you play an essential role in the American system of justice. Jury duty is a citizen's civic duty, and a privilege. We appreciate your participation in our justice system!

How Jurors are Selected to Receive a Summons
Once a year the Secretary of State will compile a list of citizens who live in East Lansing and who are licensed drivers or possess a state identification card. The Ingham County Jury Board randomly selects numbers that cause names to be drawn from this list by a computer program, and those people will receive a Juror Qualification Questionnaire. If you receive a questionnaire, you are required by law to complete it honestly and thoroughly. After the questionnaire is completed, returned and evaluated, a qualified citizen may be called to serve on a jury. This random selection process is required by law, and it means that some people who are willing to serve may never be asked, but others who are not willing to serve may be asked frequently. Under certain circumstances, the Jury Board can permanently remove a name from its records. An example of this would be a citizen over 70 years old requesting to be removed.

Qualifications of Jurors
To qualify as a juror, a person shall:

• Be a resident of the city of East Lansing. If you have any questions about qualifying as a resident please contact (517) 336-8639 or juryclk@cityofeastlansing.com.
• Persons with an East Lansing mailing address that live in Meridian Township or other areas not in the City of East Lansing are not eligible to serve. Please contact the jury clerk if you receive a summons and do not reside in the City of East Lansing.
• Be able to speak/understand the English language.
• Be physically/mentally able to carry out the functions of a juror. Temporary inability will not be deemed a disqualification. If you have a problem/disability, a note from a physician must be sent to the Court along with your written request to be excused.
• Have not served as a juror in any court during the proceeding 12 months.
• Not be currently serving a sentence on a felony conviction.
• A person over 70 years of age may claim an exemption from jury service and will be excused upon making a written request to the Court. (A person may serve if they wish to do so)

      
Exemptions/Excuses/Postponements
Prospective jurors otherwise eligible to serve may be excused from jury service only for an extreme hardship. Examples would be if you:

• Have a physical or mental disability that would prevent you from serving. You may be required to provide a doctor's note verifying the disability.
• Must provide actual and necessary care for another and alternate arrangements are not feasible.
• Will suffer an extreme financial burden if required to serve.

If you believe you qualify to be excused, you must notify the Court in writing of the reason you believe you are not eligible to serve as a juror. Requests may be sent to the jury clerk by mail or fax. Your request to be excused must be received by the jury clerk in writing prior to your jury service date.

The Court realizes prospective jurors may have been summoned at an inconvenient time and is willing to defer service to a more convenient time in most instances. All requests for postponement must be made in writing and either mailed or faxed to the jury clerk for review.

Even if you believe you may not be selected to serve on a jury because of your occupation, life experiences or moral or religious beliefs, you are required to appear for jury service. When your name is selected for voir dire, the judge will make the decision whether or not to excuse you.

What to Expect as a Juror
As an active participant in the justice system, a citizen who serves as a juror can expect to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect.
• Have court facilities and procedures identified and explained as needed throughout the assigned jury duty service period.
• Have questions answered by the appropriate Court staff as allowed by law.
• Be informed of and comply with rules and guidelines that are designed to ensure the integrity of our legal process.

Please remember that even in the most efficiently run jury system there may be frequent breaks during the actual selection of jurors, and some delays during a trial. These delays are often unavoidable. It is recommended that you bring something with you that you can do quietly while waiting, such as a book, knitting, newspaper, or crossword puzzles. You may bring a laptop, pager or cell phone with you, but these items must be turned off while you are in the courtroom and during deliberations.  

On jury selection day, beverages are allowed in the courtroom. Pop machines are available in the building. If you are selected for a jury, coffee will be provided in the jury room. Jurors are usually given a lunch break and are free to leave the building or you may stay in the jury room and bring your own lunch. Food may be provided during deliberations but you are free to bring your own food, especially if you are a diabetic or on a special diet.

How a Jury is Chosen
On jury selection day, when you arrive at the courthouse you need to report to the second floor. The jury clerk will check you in. If your name or address as recorded on your summons has changed, please inform the clerk immediately. You will then be directed to the courtroom. Before the selection of jurors begins, a court representative will provide a short orientation on our jury process and a district judge will read the required jury instructions. You will then be asked to swear or affirm that you will truthfully answer the questions concerning your fairness and ability to sit as a juror on a particular case by the judge.

As a prospective juror the judge or trial attorneys will question you. The preliminary examination into the qualifications and potential biases of prospective jurors is called Voir Dire (from French meaning, "to speak the truth"). This process is conducted to determine whether you have opinions or attitudes, which would bias you in favor or disfavor of either side. While some questions may be personal in nature, they are not intended to embarrass you. They are asked to determine if there is a reason you should not sit on the case.

The prosecution or defendant may ask that a member of the jury panel be excused because there appears to be a specific reason, set out in the Court Rule, that one is not legally qualified to act as a juror in this case. This is called a challenge for cause. An example of this is if the juror has a personal or financial relationship with a party. In addition, each side may excuse a limited number of jurors by peremptory challenge. A peremptory challenge is the right of the prosecution or defendant to remove a certain number of jurors without giving any reason or cause.

If you are excused either for cause or because of a peremptory challenge, you should not take it personally or be offended. You may still be selected to sit on another jury. If you are selected to be on a jury, you will be given the date and time of the trial.

Seven jurors will be chosen. One person is an alternate juror in case someone cannot complete the trial. Before deliberations one juror will be dismissed from the panel.

Juror's Responsibilities

• Jurors must be prompt in arriving at the Court. A trial cannot begin unless all jurors are present.
• Jurors must give their undivided attention to the witnesses, attorneys, and proceedings. Remember that the outcome of the case is very important to those concerned.
• The trial will begin with opening statements by the attorneys for both sides. The examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence will take place after opening statements.
• In final arguments, both attorneys will have an opportunity to summarize their positions and review the facts of the case. At the conclusion of the final arguments, the judge will issue instructions to the jury concerning the law and its application to the particular case. The jurors will then proceed to the jury room to deliberate.
• The jurors must select a foreperson that presides over these deliberations. You will discuss the evidence and arrive at a fair and impartial verdict based on the facts presented during the trial and the law as given by the judge's instruction. When deliberations are complete, you will return to the courtroom for presentation of your verdict.

Compensation
For Jury selection day, Jurors are compensated at the rate of $12.50 per half day. You will be paid in cash on jury selection day and at the conclusion of each jury trial. Each juror will also be paid $1 for mileage.

State law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are on jury duty. Many employers support the jury system and provide jury duty benefits and will continue employee wages while they serve as a juror. Please check with your employer.

State law prohibits an employer from discharging or in any manner discriminating against an employee for taking time off to serve as a juror if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer of the requirement to serve as a juror.

If your employer requires proof of jury service, the Court will furnish one for you.

Contacting the Jury Clerk
The Jury Clerk is available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Court Hours/Length of Service
The Court's normal hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You should plan to be in Court the entire afternoon on the first day you are summoned, which is jury selection day. If you are selected to sit as a juror on a case, you will be notified of the date to return for trial. Not all jurors summoned will be selected to sit as jurors for a trial. You may be selected to serve as a juror for up to two cases.

If you are not selected to serve as a juror for a trial, your period of service is complete after jury selection at the end of the first day. If you are selected to serve as a juror for one or more trials, your service is complete at the conclusion of the trial(s) you are selected to serve on. The average trial lasts for one day.

Whether you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial or not, you will not be required to perform jury duty again for one year from the date your service is completed.

Parking
The Court will validate your parking for the Grove Street Ramp only. Please bring your parking payment ticket with you to the Court. If you choose to park elsewhere, you are responsible for your own parking fees. Metered parking is not recommended because you will not be able to leave the building to add money to the meter if required. There are handicap spaces located on the north side of City Hall.

Contacting the Jury Clerk

The Jury Clerk is available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

Jury Clerk
54-B District Court
101 Linden St.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone number: (517) 336-8639
Fax number: (517) 351-3371

juryclk@cityofeastlansing.com

Jury Clerk
54-B District Court
101 Linden St.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone number: (517) 336-8639
Fax number: (517) 351-3371

juryclk@cityofeastlansing.com

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. Justice ultimately depends to a large measure upon the quality of the jurors who serve in our Courts. That is why your service as a juror is so important. As a juror, you play an essential role in the American system of justice. Jury duty is a citizen's civic duty, and a privilege. We appreciate your participation in our justice system!

How Jurors are Selected to Receive a Summons
Once a year the Secretary of State will compile a list of citizens who live in East Lansing and who are licensed drivers or possess a state identification card. The Ingham County Jury Board randomly selects numbers that cause names to be drawn from this list by a computer program, and those people will receive a Juror Qualification Questionnaire. If you receive a questionnaire, you are required by law to complete it honestly and thoroughly. After the questionnaire is completed, returned and evaluated, a qualified citizen may be called to serve on a jury. This random selection process is required by law, and it means that some people who are willing to serve may never be asked, but others who are not willing to serve may be asked frequently. Under certain circumstances, the Jury Board can permanently remove a name from its records. An example of this would be a citizen over 70 years old requesting to be removed.

Qualifications of Jurors
To qualify as a juror, a person shall:

• Be a resident of the city of East Lansing. If you have any questions about qualifying as a resident please contact (517) 336-8639 or juryclk@cityofeastlansing.com.
• Persons with an East Lansing mailing address that live in Meridian Township or other areas not in the City of East Lansing are not eligible to serve. Please contact the jury clerk if you receive a summons and do not reside in the City of East Lansing.
• Be able to speak/understand the English language.
• Be physically/mentally able to carry out the functions of a juror. Temporary inability will not be deemed a disqualification. If you have a problem/disability, a note from a physician must be sent to the Court along with your written request to be excused.
• Have not served as a juror in any court during the proceeding 12 months.
• Not be currently serving a sentence on a felony conviction.
• A person over 70 years of age may claim an exemption from jury service and will be excused upon making a written request to the Court. (A person may serve if they wish to do so)

      
Exemptions/Excuses/Postponements
Prospective jurors otherwise eligible to serve may be excused from jury service only for an extreme hardship. Examples would be if you:

• Have a physical or mental disability that would prevent you from serving. You may be required to provide a doctor's note verifying the disability.
• Must provide actual and necessary care for another and alternate arrangements are not feasible.
• Will suffer an extreme financial burden if required to serve.

If you believe you qualify to be excused, you must notify the Court in writing of the reason you believe you are not eligible to serve as a juror. Requests may be sent to the jury clerk by mail or fax. Your request to be excused must be received by the jury clerk in writing prior to your jury service date.

The Court realizes prospective jurors may have been summoned at an inconvenient time and is willing to defer service to a more convenient time in most instances. All requests for postponement must be made in writing and either mailed or faxed to the jury clerk for review.

Even if you believe you may not be selected to serve on a jury because of your occupation, life experiences or moral or religious beliefs, you are required to appear for jury service. When your name is selected for voir dire, the judge will make the decision whether or not to excuse you.

What to Expect as a Juror
As an active participant in the justice system, a citizen who serves as a juror can expect to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect.
• Have court facilities and procedures identified and explained as needed throughout the assigned jury duty service period.
• Have questions answered by the appropriate Court staff as allowed by law.
• Be informed of and comply with rules and guidelines that are designed to ensure the integrity of our legal process.

Please remember that even in the most efficiently run jury system there may be frequent breaks during the actual selection of jurors, and some delays during a trial. These delays are often unavoidable. It is recommended that you bring something with you that you can do quietly while waiting, such as a book, knitting, newspaper, or crossword puzzles. You may bring a laptop, pager or cell phone with you, but these items must be turned off while you are in the courtroom and during deliberations.  

On jury selection day, beverages are allowed in the courtroom. Pop machines are available in the building. If you are selected for a jury, coffee will be provided in the jury room. Jurors are usually given a lunch break and are free to leave the building or you may stay in the jury room and bring your own lunch. Food may be provided during deliberations but you are free to bring your own food, especially if you are a diabetic or on a special diet.

How a Jury is Chosen
On jury selection day, when you arrive at the courthouse you need to report to the second floor. The jury clerk will check you in. If your name or address as recorded on your summons has changed, please inform the clerk immediately. You will then be directed to the courtroom. Before the selection of jurors begins, a court representative will provide a short orientation on our jury process and a district judge will read the required jury instructions. You will then be asked to swear or affirm that you will truthfully answer the questions concerning your fairness and ability to sit as a juror on a particular case by the judge.

As a prospective juror the judge or trial attorneys will question you. The preliminary examination into the qualifications and potential biases of prospective jurors is called Voir Dire (from French meaning, "to speak the truth"). This process is conducted to determine whether you have opinions or attitudes, which would bias you in favor or disfavor of either side. While some questions may be personal in nature, they are not intended to embarrass you. They are asked to determine if there is a reason you should not sit on the case.

The prosecution or defendant may ask that a member of the jury panel be excused because there appears to be a specific reason, set out in the Court Rule, that one is not legally qualified to act as a juror in this case. This is called a challenge for cause. An example of this is if the juror has a personal or financial relationship with a party. In addition, each side may excuse a limited number of jurors by peremptory challenge. A peremptory challenge is the right of the prosecution or defendant to remove a certain number of jurors without giving any reason or cause.

If you are excused either for cause or because of a peremptory challenge, you should not take it personally or be offended. You may still be selected to sit on another jury. If you are selected to be on a jury, you will be given the date and time of the trial.

Seven jurors will be chosen. One person is an alternate juror in case someone cannot complete the trial. Before deliberations one juror will be dismissed from the panel.

Juror's Responsibilities

• Jurors must be prompt in arriving at the Court. A trial cannot begin unless all jurors are present.
• Jurors must give their undivided attention to the witnesses, attorneys, and proceedings. Remember that the outcome of the case is very important to those concerned.
• The trial will begin with opening statements by the attorneys for both sides. The examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence will take place after opening statements.
• In final arguments, both attorneys will have an opportunity to summarize their positions and review the facts of the case. At the conclusion of the final arguments, the judge will issue instructions to the jury concerning the law and its application to the particular case. The jurors will then proceed to the jury room to deliberate.
• The jurors must select a foreperson that presides over these deliberations. You will discuss the evidence and arrive at a fair and impartial verdict based on the facts presented during the trial and the law as given by the judge's instruction. When deliberations are complete, you will return to the courtroom for presentation of your verdict.

Compensation
For Jury selection day, Jurors are compensated at the rate of $12.50 per half day. You will be paid in cash on jury selection day and at the conclusion of each jury trial. Each juror will also be paid $1 for mileage.

State law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are on jury duty. Many employers support the jury system and provide jury duty benefits and will continue employee wages while they serve as a juror. Please check with your employer.

State law prohibits an employer from discharging or in any manner discriminating against an employee for taking time off to serve as a juror if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer of the requirement to serve as a juror.

If your employer requires proof of jury service, the Court will furnish one for you.

Contacting the Jury Clerk
The Jury Clerk is available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Court Hours/Length of Service
The Court's normal hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You should plan to be in Court the entire afternoon on the first day you are summoned, which is jury selection day. If you are selected to sit as a juror on a case, you will be notified of the date to return for trial. Not all jurors summoned will be selected to sit as jurors for a trial. You may be selected to serve as a juror for up to two cases.

If you are not selected to serve as a juror for a trial, your period of service is complete after jury selection at the end of the first day. If you are selected to serve as a juror for one or more trials, your service is complete at the conclusion of the trial(s) you are selected to serve on. The average trial lasts for one day.

Whether you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial or not, you will not be required to perform jury duty again for one year from the date your service is completed.

Parking
The Court will validate your parking for the Grove Street Ramp only. Please bring your parking payment ticket with you to the Court. If you choose to park elsewhere, you are responsible for your own parking fees. Metered parking is not recommended because you will not be able to leave the building to add money to the meter if required. There are handicap spaces located on the north side of City Hall.

Contacting the Jury Clerk

The Jury Clerk is available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

Jury Clerk
54-B District Court
101 Linden St.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone number: (517) 336-8639
Fax number: (517) 351-3371

juryclk@cityofeastlansing.com