Once a year, the Secretary of State Driver’s License Bureau provides us with the names of Van      Buren County residents who have a driver’s license or state ID.  The computer then randomly chooses names and the questionnaires are mailed out.

You must be a Van Buren County resident to serve as a Van Buren County juror.  Please provide the court with your new mailing address along with proof of residency and we will remove you from our mailing list.

If you are over 70, you have the choice to serve as a juror.  If you choose not to serve, please mark “yes” on question number 5 of your questionnaire and return it to the court.

Email your corrected name and address to the jury clerk to update the information in our database.

Provide a copy of their class schedule to the jury clerk, and they will be excused from their service.

We will only excuse you from a jury service if you have a doctor’s note.  Mail, email, or fax a doctor’s note in and we will honor your doctor’s request.

Yes.  A summons is an official court order compelling you to appear for service.   Jury duty, although sometimes inconvenient, is not an optional experience.  Jurors should also know that following Michigan law:

600.1348 Jurors; threats, discharge, or discipline by employer; requiring additional hours of work; misdemeanor; penalty.

Sec. 1348 (1) An employer or the employer’s agent, who threatens to discharge or discipline or who discharges, disciplines, or cause to be discharged from employment or to be disciplined a person because that person is summoned for jury duty, serves on a jury, or has served on a jury, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and may also be punished for contempt of court.

Please wear comfortable clothing. Midriff baring tops and inappropriate language and content on clothing is not allowed. You may also bring your cell phone, book or magazine to read while you wait, but they will need to be powered off and put away while in court.

Judges and attorneys try to estimate how long trials will last, but the length can vary. Most District Court trials last one day. Most Circuit Court trials last three to five days.

During your term, you may be called for jury selection on one or two trials. If you are selected to serve on a jury, your service may continue beyond the standard two-week term.

On any day you are instructed to report, plan to be at the courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless you are told otherwise.

Yes.  The judges typically break at least once mid-morning, an hour for lunch, and at least once in the afternoon.

Yes.  You will need to set up rides with a friend, a family member, or Van Buren Public Transit.

Jurors are paid $30.00 for the first full day; $45.00 each subsequent full day; $15.00 for the first half day; $22.50 for each subsequent half day.  Jurors are also compensated for mileage.  Jurors will be paid the current IRS rate per mile from the juror’s home to the courthouse.  Jurors will receive a check for the total amount approximately three weeks after the assigned term ends.