GENERAL INFORMATION-PETIT & GRAND JURORS Why you received a Juror Questionnaire: When you are mailed a summons, you will also receive a Juror Questionnaire. It will expedite the process of the jury selection if we have on file information about you, employment, former jury service, etc. Your responses assist the trial attorney in determining if he feels you would be a fair and impartial juror for his trial. Your juror questionnaire also provides the Deputy Jury Commissioner with information as to how to contact you if there would be a last minute change in your report date or time. How to request an excuse from jury duty: According to the law of Ohio, you can be excused from jury duty only by the Court. When considering requests of excuse, the Court is required to observe statutory provisions. Requests to be excused from jury service should be submitted in writing. The address and fax number are included on our letterhead. Please be clear and precise in your description of your request. The Judge will review the request and you will be notified of his decision. If at the particular time you are called for jury duty, it will be an undue hardship, you should make that fact known. You may be able to work something out regarding your service through the Deputy Jury Commissioner. You may call the Deputy Jury Commissioner at 440-5992. Emergency-Your late arrival: In the event any emergency should arise while serving as a juror, such as illness, car trouble, etc., which would make you report late or make it difficult to come in, call the Deputy Jury Commissioner as soon as possible. However, once you have been sworn as a juror in a case, every reasonable effort should be made to continue or the case would have to start anew. You may contact the Deputy Jury Commissioner at 440-5992. How much the court pays you for jury duty: Petit Jurors Individuals are paid, by the court, for their services as a petit juror. The pay is calculated by the number of days that petit jurors are summoned and instructed to report to the Safety Building for jury selection. Petit jurors are compensated at the rate of $40.00 per day for each day present. After the tenth day of being seated on a jury trial petit jurors are compensated at the rate of $80.00 per day. However, if you are not seated on a jury trial and are excused before noon, you will receive $20.00. Grand Jurors Individuals are paid for their services as a Grand Juror. The pay is $40.00 per day regardless of when you are excused for the day or how many days you report for grand jury. When will you receive your jury duty pay? Payment is by check, which will arrive at your residence during the first part of the month following your jury service. Proof for employer of your jury duty: Should any juror’s employer require proof of jury service so that you may receive your pay, or for any other reason, you may go to the Office of the Clerk of Courts which is located on the third floor of the Safety Building and a certificate will be furnished to you. These are furnished at any time you ask for them. Reimbursement of your loss wages: There is not a law requiring employers to reimburse employees their loss wages while serving on jury duty. You will need to check with your employer’s personnel department to determine their policy regarding jury duty reimbursement. Parking: The Court does not provide parking. It is suggested that you not park in a 2 hour parking spot. The court cannot stop courtroom proceedings so you may move your vehicle. A 10 hour metered lot or a unrestricted area on the street is recommended for juror’s parking. The City of Troy will no longer excuse parking tickets received by jurors. Location & Office hours: The jury room is on the third floor of the Safety Building, 201 W. Main Street next to the Miami County Court House. It should be used by you during recesses. However, if you are in the halls, you should not talk to any of the parties, attorneys or witnesses, lest some who observe such conversation think it concerns the case you are hearing. There are rest rooms in the jury room, and additional rest rooms on the third floor across from the elevators. A drinking fountain is located on the third floor across from the elevators. There is water in the jury room. The court opens at 8:00 a.m.; lunch recess is usually 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and Court recesses for the day as close to 4:00 p.m. as possible. Jury trials are not held on Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays. Legal terms: The following definitions will make it easier for you to understand common legal words and phrases used frequently during the trial: Action, Case, Suit, Lawsuit: A legal dispute brought into court for a hearing or trial. Answer: A pleading filed with the court before the trial by the defendant in a civil case to answer or deny the plaintiff’s claims. Argument: After all the evidence of a lawsuit is heard on both sides, the lawyers tell the jury what they think the evidence proves and why they think their side should win. This is an “argument” or “summing up.” It is not evidence. Cause of Action: The legal grounds on which a party to a lawsuit relies to get a verdict against an opponent. Challenge for cause, peremptory challenge: After questioning the jurors, the attorney for each side may excuse a juror from the jury panel. When a juror is challenged for cause, the attorney does not have to indicate a reason for the challenge. Charge: The judge explains carefully the final instructions to jury before they begin their deliberations. Complaint: The first pleading in a civil case stating facts and demanding relief. Counterclaim: An answer to the complaint, in which the defendant claims to be entitled to damages or other relief from the plaintiff. Cross-Examination: Questions which a lawyer asks the opposing party or witness to test whether the person is telling the truth. Deliberations: The discussions of the jury which occur after the judge has instructed you to retire to the jury room and consider your verdict. Deposition: If a party to a lawsuit or a witness cannot be in court because of illness or other inability, that persons’ testimony may be written using question-and-answer form. This testimony is then read at the trial. Attorneys for both sides are present when a deposition is taken. I may also be used to deny or contradict a witness’ testimony or for the purpose of refreshing a witness’ recollection. Examination, Examination-in-Chief, Direct Examination: Questions which the lawyers ask their own clients or witnesses called. Exhibits: Articles such as objects, pictures, books, letters and documents which are given to the jury to take to the jury room while deliberating. Indictment: The document informing the defendant of the crime charged. Instructions: After all the evidence is in, and the lawyers have made their arguments, the judge outlines the question to be decided and states the issues you must decide. The judge outlines the rules of law which must guide your deliberations and control your verdict. These are the judge’s “charge” or “instructions” to the jury. A judge may, and sometimes must, instruct the jury on some point of law while the trial is in progress. Issue: A disputed question of fact, which you must decide. Jury Panel: All prospective jurors, from which the trial jury is chosen. “Objection Overruled” or “Overruled”: The judge’s ruling that a lawyer’s objection is not well taken under the rules for conducting the trial. The judge’s ruling, so far as you are concerned, is final and may not be questioned. “Objection Sustained” or “Sustained”: The judge’s ruling that a lawyer’s objection is well taken under the rules for conducting the trial. The judge’s ruling, so far as you are concerned, is final and may not be questioned. Opening Statement: Before introducing any evidence in the case, a lawyer tells the jury what the case is about and what evidence is expected to be brought in to prove that side of the case. It is not evidence. Parties: The plaintiff and defendant in the case - also called the “litigants.” Pleadings: All the documents filed by the parties before the trial to establish what issues must be decided by the jury. Record: The official word-for-word copy of the proceedings, taken in shorthand, stenotype, or audio-transcription by an official court reporter. Often the judge or the lawyers state that something is-or is not “for the record” or “in the record.” Rest: The lawyer concludes the evidence to be introduced at that stage of the trial.