Jury FAQs | Middle District of Louisiana

Jurors are randomly selected via a two-step process. First, names are randomly selected from voter registration lists and lists of licensed drivers/state identification holders from the nine (9) parishes that make up the Middle District: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena. These randomly selected potential juror names become part of the Middle District’s Master Jury Wheel, which is emptied and refilled every two (2) years.

Second, names from the Master Jury Wheel are randomly selected to receive a qualification questionnaire, which is different from a jury summons. Individuals receiving qualification questionnaires are required to complete them online via E-Juror and/or and return the paper form to the clerk’s office within 10 days so the court can determine a potential juror’s eligibility for jury service. Important: Completing a questionnaire does NOT require you to report to the courthouse for jury service. You are only required to report to the courthouse if you receive a jury summons for a specific time period.

Will I serve on civil or criminal trial if selected?

The court tries both civil and criminal cases, and it is possible that you may be selected for either.

How do I find out the dates and times for reporting for jury duty?

Our summons has instructions included with it. Please read those instructions carefully. It is imperative that you complete the Jury Information Card located at the bottom of the summons. In order to receive automated phone reminders or last minute changes to instructions, you must include your cellular phone number (or home number if you do not have a cellular phone). Return the completed form immediately in the postage-paid envelope provided. Alternatively, you may complete the Juror Summons on-line using E-Juror.

Please have your Participant Number available when you call (888-254-1991). The 9-digit participant number is located to the right of the bar code. The bar code is above your name and address on the left side of the summons.

What does it mean to be "On-Call"?

In this court you are “On-Call” for a one (1) week period, unless otherwise instructed by the Court. You are ONLY required to report to the courthouse if the message received through the automated call-in system instructs you to appear. You must call each night for the ENTIRE week, Sunday through Thursday. Call-in instructions are provided in your jury summons.

What should I bring with me when I report for jury duty?

A photo ID and your “Summons for Jury Service”. You cannot enter the courthouse without a photo ID. Additionally, if you have special dietary needs, you may bring your own food or snacks with you.

What are the restrictions regarding what can be brought into the courthouse?

The entrance to the courthouse is heavily guarded for your safety and protection. Electronic devices (including but not limited to tablets, laptop computers, audio/video recorders, pagers, smart watches, and cellular phones), cameras, weapons, pepper spray and sharp objects are prohibited. Please leave any of these types of items at home or in your vehicle. Also, when you enter the courthouse, you will be required to go through a magnetometer. All briefcases, purses, bags and packages will be x-rayed by the U.S. Marshal. You may be required to remove belts with large metal buckles to gain admittance.

What should I wear for jury duty?

You may wear comfortable but appropriate business-like clothing. Dress as you would for church or a job interview. Your responsibility as a juror is of utmost importance and your attire is indicative of that importance and the seriousness you attach to your duties. Therefore, jurors are requested to dress in a manner that is respectful to the litigants and the Court. Shorts are not allowed. Likewise, t-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts should not be worn. Courtrooms are kept cool, so please bring appropriate layers, such as a sweater or jacket, if desired.

Will I be “sequestered” and have to stay overnight?

This is very unlikely and should not be a concern. Being required to stay overnight, also known as “sequestration” is extremely rare in federal court.  Only one jury in the last 20 years has been sequestered.

Where can I park my car?

Free parking is available under the interstate, which faces the front steps of the courthouse. See also Directions & Parking. There are also paid parking lots at the corner of 8th and Main streets, 6th and Florida streets, and 7th and Convention streets. Parking can be limited downtown, so arrive early to secure appropriate parking. The court is not responsible for parking tickets or towed vehicles. For your safety, please be sure to cross the street at the crosswalk.

Will I be provided lunch or refreshments?

Lunch is not provided. Coffee, sodas, bottled water and a light snack is provided for jurors on the first day of jury service.  A coin operated snack machine is also located in the courthouse on the 1st floor.  Please bring change. If you have special dietary needs, you may bring your own food or snacks with you. For a list of restaurants in the downtown area for lunch, click Jury Info/Downtown Restaurants.

Will I be paid for jury duty?

You will be paid a $50.00 attendance fee for each day you are required to report for jury duty. However, you will not be paid if you appear and are excused for a reason that was well known to you at the time you received your jury summons. (Submit your request to be excused, disqualified, or deferred as soon as possible after receiving your jury summons.) Salaried federal government employees will not be paid an attendance fee (this does not include U.S. Postal Service employees). You will also be reimbursed for any paid parking fees (excluding parking tickets or towing expenses), and mileage for your roundtrip travel to the courthouse and back to your home, as calculated by zip code. Typically you will receive your payment within one (1) week of your jury service.

What happens if I forget to call the automated number to confirm whether I am needed to report and just show up at the courthouse?

You will not be paid if you appear and were not needed if that information was knowable by you in advance by calling the court’s automated system as provided in your jury summons. You must call the court’s automated system each night for the entire week you are on call for jury service, Sunday through Thursday. Call-in instructions are provided with your jury summons.

What if my employer wants proof that I served on jury duty?

Jurors will receive a letter of attendance from the jury clerk documenting daily attendance.

What if I get discharged from my job because I served on jury duty?

Pursuant to the provisions of the Employee Protection Statute, 28 U.S.C. Section 1875, you are protected from being discharged, threatened, intimidated, or coerced by your permanent employer because of your federal jury service. This federal statute also advises the employer of the consequences for violating the provisions of the Employee Protection Statute.

I received a Juror Qualification Questionnaire, now what do I do?

A questionnaire is NOT a jury summons and it does NOT require you to appear at the courthouse. The questionnaire is used to determine your legal eligibility to serve as a juror for our court. The most important thing to know is that you must complete and submit the questionnaire within 10 days of your receipt. You may complete the questionnaire online via E-Juror or return the form to the clerk's office.

Pursuant to federal law, to be eligible for jury service in our court, you must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years old, and have resided for a period of one year within the judicial district. You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language well enough to complete the questionnaire. You may not serve as a juror if you have a pending charge for the commission of or have been convicted in a state or federal court of record of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and your civil rights have not been restored. Individuals exempt from service are full-time military, police, firefighters, and public officers in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the federal government, or any state, district, territory, or possession thereof, who are actively engaged in the performance of official duties.

You may request to be excused as part of the questionnaire process if you:

a) are over the age of 70 years;

b) serve in an official capacity without compensation as a firefighter or member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew for a public agency in accordance with 28 USC 1863(b)(5)(B), or

c) have served on a federal grand or petit jury panel within the past two years.

d) are so essential to the operation of a business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise that this enterprise must close if you were required to perform jury duty;

e) have active care and custody of a child or children under the age of 10 years whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by your absence for jury service or you are a person who is essential to the care of aged or infirm persons.

f) are a full-time student;

g) are a Federal law enforcement officer, such as a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Postal Inspector, Customs Agent, member of the U.S. Border Patrol, and/or Deputy U.S. Marshal.

Whether you are qualified or not, or exempt or not, or seek to be excused or not, you MUST fully complete and submit the questionnaire form. The court will determine if you are qualified to serve or will be excused based upon your submission. If you believe you have valid excuse or hardship that does not fall within the specific categories listed above, DO NOT request an excuse or postponement as part of the qualification process. You will have an opportunity to submit a written excuse request at a later time, if and when you receive a summons to appear for jury service. If you have further questions regarding the questionnaire, please contact the jury office.

How do I request to be excused from or postpone my jury service?

If you have received a JUROR QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE, you may be excused if you:

a) are over the age of 70 years;

b) serve in an official capacity without compensation as a firefighter or member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew for a public agency in accordance with 28 USC 1863(b)(5)(B);

c) have served on a federal grand or petit jury panel within the past 2 years;

d) are so essential to the operation of a business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise that this enterprise must close if you were required to perform jury duty;

f) are a full-time student;

g) are a Federal law enforcement officer, such as a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Postal Inspector, Customs Agent, member of the U.S. Border Patrol, and/or Deputy U.S. Marshal.

Whether you are qualified or not, or exempt or not, or seek to be excused or not, you MUST fully complete and submit the questionnaire form. The court will determine if you are qualified to serve or will be excused based upon your submission. If you believe you have valid excuse or hardship that does not fall within the specific categories listed above, DO NOT request an excuse or postponement as part of the qualification process. You will have an opportunity to submit a written excuse request at a later time, if and when you receive a summons to appear for jury service. If you have further questions regarding the questionnaire, please contact the jury office.

If you have received a SUMMONS FOR JURY SERVICE, you may be excused if you:

a) fall within one of the categories listed above; or

b) submit a written request for a temporary excuse or deferment based upon a medical issue or other hardship AND the Court finds that you would suffer undue hardship or extreme inconvenience by serving on the jury.

What do I need to submit to the court if I have a medical excuse?

Medical excuses can only be requested AFTER you have received a jury summons. If you have received a jury summons and believe you have a valid medical excuse, you must submit a written request explaining the need for a medical excuse from jury service. The request can either be mailed in with your juror information card in the enclosed postage paid envelope, faxed, or emailed to the jury office. Our fax number is 225-389-3651 and our email address is jury@lamd.uscourts.gov. Medical excuse requests will NOT be accepted verbally over the phone or in person. DO NOT submit a separate medical excuse request if you have only received a jury qualification questionnaire and not a summons jury service.

I am over 70 years of age. Do I still have to serve?

No.  But, if you are physically able and desire to serve, your service is welcomed.  If you are 70 or older and do not wish to serve, you must fully complete the questionnaire form to be excused. The over age 70 excuse category is located in Question 14 of the qualification questionnaire.

Must I respond to the Qualification Questionnaire and/or Summons for Jury Service?

Yes, it is legally required, and there are penalties for noncompliance. Jurors perform a vital role in the American system of justice. Jury service is an important civic function that supports one of the fundamental rights of citizens - the right to have their cases decided by a jury of their peers.

What happens if I fail to report for jury duty?

A person who fails to report for jury duty may be ordered to show cause for failure to comply with the summons. According to 28 U.S.C. § 1866(g), "Any person who fails to show good cause for noncompliance with a summons may be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof."