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Jury Duty Overview
Thank you to all jurors for your service. Please be assured that the Court is taking all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of all who come to court.
As part of these health and safety measures, all visitors, including jurors, will be required to complete a health screening survey upon entry to court facilities. This process may create longer wait times to enter a facility.
The right to a trial by jury is the privilege of every person in the United States, whether or not that person is a citizen. This cherished right is guaranteed by both the U.S. and California Constitutions. Jury trials cannot be held unless people - citizens of the state in which the trial is held - are willing to perform their civic duty. Jurors are essential to the administration of justice.
Watch the National Center for State Courts video on the importance of answering the call for jury service: NCSC Jury Service Video
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL JURORS
1. Read the summons: The date of your appearance is on the jury postcard you were mailed.
2. Visit EJuror: You must register and complete a set of juror eligibility questions by logging on to eJuror. This will save you time on your reporting day. EJuror can also be used to sign-up for email or text auto-notifications and to request an excusal or deferral.
3. Juror Questionnaire: You must also complete a Juror Questionnaire six (6) or more days prior to your service date. After completing the form online, send it by clicking the Submit button if you have a PDF viewer such as the free Adobe Acrobat Reader that supports the submit function and is configured with your mail application. If the Submit button does not work, save the form and email as an attachment to jurorforms@alameda.courts.ca.gov.
4. Hardships: The Court will consider excusals for undue hardship for a limited number of serious circumstances. You may complete a Hardship Request six (6) or more days prior to your service date. After completing the form online, send it by clicking the Submit button if you have a PDF viewer such as the free Adobe Acrobat Reader that supports the submit function and is configured with your mail application. If the Submit button does not work, save the form and email as an attachment to jurorforms@alameda.courts.ca.gov.
5. Inform your employer: Your employer must allow you time off for jury duty. Employers cannot terminate an employee called for jury service as long as the employee gives reasonable notice of the summons.
6. Watch the Video: Click here to watch the Juror Orientation video before you come to court.
7. Check your reporting instructions:
Your summons has instructions on how to find out if you must report on your first day and the subsequent days of your week on-call. You may check reporting instructions using any of the following methods:
- Visit the Jury Reporting Instructions page on this website to see if your group is required to report on the subsequent business day
- Check EJuror at eJuror Website
- Call the Interactive Voice Response Line at (510) 729-8636
8. Your day in court:
If on the day you are required to report you are ill, have a fever, are experiencing chills, shortness of breath, or are experiencing other symptoms associated with COVID-19, please do not come to court. Instead call 510-891-6031 or email jury@alameda.courts.ca.gov to explain your condition and request a deferral of your jury service.
If directed to report, plan to attend court as a juror from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The time you are released will depend on the court's schedule. Please wear a mask or face covering, be prepared to submit to a health screening, including temperature check, and dress appropriately. (Shorts, tank tops or bare feet are not permissible.) Please bring your own pen or pencil.
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JURY REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SCAM ALERT
The Jury Services unit of the Superior Court of Alameda County does not call citizens to request payment for failing to appear for jury service. California law does not permit citizens to pay a fine in lieu of jury service; a fine may be assessed, but the citizen would still be required to reschedule jury service for a later date. Please be advised that any requests for such information may be a scam. This notice provides guidance as to how to proceed if you think you are being targeted by this scam.
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