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Frequently
Asked Questions
The names of all licensed drivers and registered
voters in Jefferson Parish are placed into the jury-management computer system operated by the
clerk of court. The combined list is updated each year to account for address changes,
name changes, additions, and deletions. The
computer runs comparisons to eliminate duplicate names and then randomly selects
the names of those who will be issued subpoenas to appear, upon request by the Jury
Commission.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has revised its rules
as to which groups and classes of persons are exempt from jury service.
Public officers, physicians,
lawyers, judges, members of the armed forces, police and fire
departments, and clergy are no longer exempt. One is exempted from jury duty only if
he served less than two years prior to his
next scheduled service date. Those who are seventy years of age or older
also may claim an exemption. However, one must expressly claim an
exemption each time he is summoned; It is not automatically granted. One may claim an exemption based upon prior
service or age by calling the
jury management room at 364-2919 or 364-2968, by e-mail to
jurycomm@jpclerkofcourt.us,
or by regular mail to the return address indicated on the summons.
The law does provide, however, for excusal from jury duty for medical,
hardship, or other reasons. Excusal requests for those reasons must be submitted to
the Jury Commission for its review. Instructions on excusal requests are given in
the jury summons.
To inquire about excusals, exemptions,
or any other jury-service issues, you may call the jury assembly room during the
hours of 8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M.; or you may inquire via email at
jurycomm@jpclerkofcourt.us.
Louisiana law provides that
a potential juror must meet certain
qualifications to be eligible to serve on a jury. These
requirements are that a prospective juror:
1) Must be a citizen of the United States and
Louisiana and must have resided in Jefferson Parish for at least one year before serving
as a juror;
2) Must be at least eighteen years
old;
3) Must be able to read, write and speak the
English language;
4) Must not be under interdiction or incapable of
serving as a juror because of a mental or physical infirmity, provided that no person
shall be deemed incompetent solely because of the loss of hearing to any degree;
5) Must not be under indictment for a felony, nor
convicted of a felony for which a pardon has not been granted.
If you do not meet all of these requirements, you
should notify someone on the jury management staff at (504) 364-2919, by e-mail
to jurycomm@jpclerkofcourt.us,
or by regular mail to the Jury
Commission at the address indicated on the summons.
In the jury lounge there
are various amenities: television, tables, reading materials, etc. One
is free to move around the lounge, but he should stay in the immediate area, so
as to be continuously available for juror selection.
If one must leave the lounge,
he/she should inform the jury
clerk of his destination.
Visitors to the courthouse
campus facilities should allow themselves ample time to locate a parking space.
The City of Gretna no longer
affords free parking for those on jury duty at Gretna parking meters, and
on-street parking on most streets directly adjacent to the courthouse complex no
longer exists.
Parking for the general public is available at the
courthouse complex's multi-level
parking garage at the corner of 3rd and Derbigny Streets. The charge is
$5.00 for up to 2 hours and $7.00 for 2 to 24 hours. For a map to to the garage, click
here.
There is no parking charge for
those on jury duty who present a parking ticket from the parking garage, which
will be validated in the jury assembly room.
When you are sent to a courtroom, you need only
act the way most people normally act -- be alert, courteous and honest about your
feelings and opinions on issues. The court will instruct you further.
Once you are actually selected as a
juror, you are under the judge's jurisdiction and control. Simply listen
closely to the judge, who will give you detailed instructions and information
concerning such matters as (1) anticipated length of the trial, (2) when to report back to
the courtroom after a recess, (3) what you are expected to do and not do as a juror,
and (4) other matters that the judge feels are relevant to your jury service.
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