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Qualifications
for jury service are established by California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 203, and are outlined below. If you
find that you are not qualified to serve, please complete the bottom
portion of your summons titled "Part Two." Once completed, detach and
return the Affidavit by placing a stamp on the Affidavit and placing it in
the mail, fax it to (559) 585-3262 or hand carry it to the Jury
Commissioner's office. Affidavits must be received by the jury office at
least five working days prior to your service. Otherwise, you are expected
to be available as scheduled.
If you wish to view
the Code of Civil Procedure, they are available through the California Law web
site located at
www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html.
Then, follow the directions for finding the code(s) you are interested in.
To be eligible to
serve you must meet the following criteria: MUST
NOT BE/HAVE
A Citizen of the United States
At least 18 years of age
Resident of Kings County
Sufficient understanding of the English language
You are not eligible to serve if any of the
following categories pertain to you:
Currently serving as a Grand Juror or served as a Trial Juror during the
previous 12 months
Under court appointed conservatorship
Have been convicted of a felony or malfeasance in office and not had your civil
rights restored
Peace Officer pursuant to
830.1 or 830.2(a) of the Penal Code (Correctional Officers are not exempt)
If you wish to view
the Penal Code, they are available through the California Law web
site located at
www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html.
Then, follow the directions for finding the
code(s) you are interested in.
Our courts deal with issues that affect our neighborhoods, our
families, the business community and quality of life in our community.
Everyone must participate in the process created to resolve these issues.
That may mean rearranging schedules, canceling appointments and missing
work. Jury staff will be as flexible as possible when scheduling jurors
for jury service.
If your summoned date is not convenient, you may request ONE
postponement for a period of up to 90 to 180 days. (Students &
Teachers may be rescheduled to the next school break. Breastfeeding
mothers may be postponed for a period of up to one year.)
To request a postponement, please complete the backside, bottom portion
of your summons titled "Part Two." Once completed, detach and return the
Affidavit by mail, fax it to
(559) 585-3262 or hand carry it to the Jury
Commissioner's office. Affidavits must be received by the jury office at
least five days prior to your service. Otherwise, you are expected to be available as scheduled.
California Rule of Court, Rule 860, specifies the grounds on which the
Jury Commissioner's Office is allowed to excuse jurors from jury service.
It states, "Jury service, unless excused by law, is a responsibility of
citizenship. The court and its staff shall employ all necessary and
appropriate means to ensure that citizens fulfill this important and civic
duty." Postponing jury service is preferred to excusing a prospective
juror. Inconvenience to a prospective juror or employer is not an
adequate reason to be excused from jury duty. Requests must be made in
writing and supported with facts and/or appropriate documentation as
outlined below.
In order to be excused, jury service must represent an undue hardship
as outlined in
California Rule of Court, Rule 860, below.
(1)
The prospective juror has no reasonably available means of public or
private transportation.
(2)
The prospective juror has a personal obligation to provide care to another
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Comparable care is not economically practical. Supported by a statement
from the patient’s doctor.
(3)
The prospective juror has a serious physical or mental condition and jury
service would expose him/her to undue risk of physical or mental
hardship. NOTE: IF THE JUROR IS UNDER 70 YEARS OLD, HE/SHE MUST
OBTAIN A STATEMENT FROM A DOCTOR THAT CLEARLY STATES THAT THE JUROR CANNOT
SERVE JURY DUTY FOR MEDICAL REASONS.
(4) The prospective juror has served jury service within the preceding
12 months.
To request an excuse, follow the instructions and complete the back
side, bottom portion of your summons titled "Part Two." Once completed,
detach and return the Affidavit by mail, fax it to
(559) 585-3262 or hand
carry it to the Jury Commissioner's office. Affidavits must be received
by the jury office at least five days prior to your service. Otherwise,
you are expected to be available as scheduled.
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