Jury Duty FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Jury Duty

Why is Jury Service required?
The right to a trial by jury in certain cases is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Any person who is entitled to a jury trial is entitled to a jury that represents the whole community. It is important that a fair cross-section of the City’s population is represented on the jury panel to prevent discrimination or bias.

What if my employer doesn't want me to serve?
Oregon law provides that your employer may not discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce you by reason of your jury service. Any violations are to be reported to the court.

What if I don't respond to the Jury Summons?
Jury service is a civic duty of each citizen. Failure to respond to the Jury Summons may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.  You may be required to show cause why you should not be held in contempt of court.

How long is my term of jury duty?
Jurors in Hermiston Municipal Court is scheduled for two-month term.  During this term, if selected as juror, you will likely only serve for one or two trials lasting one or two days each.

I can't take a two-month leave from work/personal obligations, how do you expect me to serve as a juror?
Most trials only take one to two days.  The potential dates for Jury Trials is provided in your Juror Summons.  The Court is willing to excuse you for specific dates if you have prior scheduled obligations that can't be rearranged (i.e. trips already paid for, doctors appointments, etc).  Any dates you aren't not excused,  you will be expected to appear if your juror number is selected.

You may request for your term to be rescheduled (withing the next 12 months) or you may request an excusal if serving as a juror will cause an EXTREME inconvenience or UNDUE hardship to you.  You must make this request in writing and explain how it imposes a hardship.  Excusals are considered on a case-by-case basis.

How will I know what specific dates I'm needed?
The potential Jury Trial dates are provided in your Juror Summons, however, you may not need to report for all of these dates.  You will need to check the Juror Portal the Friday PRIOR to the jury trial dates or Opt In to receive notifications from the Court.

The Juror Portal and notifications from the Court will direct specific juror numbers or a range of juror numbers to report for each trial date.

Cases often get resolved the day before a trial is scheduled.  It is recommended that you check the message the evening before or morning of the trial if you are required to appear to ensure you are still needed to report.

Can I serve if I know a lot of Law Enforcement Officers?
This decision will be up to the attorneys and Judge.  This is not a reason to be excused from service or that would make you ineligible.

Will I be chosen for a specific trial?
When a specific trial is about to begin, the judge will have the clerk randomly select potential jurors from the jury panel. The judge will introduce the jurors to the parties and their attorneys. The judge may then outline the issues of the case and may ask the potential jurors some general questions. Next, the parties or their attorneys may also question the potential jurors.

This jury selection process is called “voir dire” which is French for “to tell the truth.” Attorneys can challenge potential jurors “for cause” by giving the judge a good reason to have a juror excused. Each attorney may also use a limited number of “peremptory” challenges without giving a reason. If you are excused from serving, you should not take it personally because it is not a reflection on your competency or character. The chosen jurors will be sworn in when voir dire is completed, at which time the judge may instruct the jury about rules to be followed during the trial.

What should I expect as a juror?
Attire should reflect the dignity and professionalism of the court. Please refrain from wearing shorts, tank tops, sweats, and t-shirts with any printed matter.  The courtroom can vary in temperature, so prepare accordingly.

Knives, firearms, and any other weapons are not allowed in the courtroom.  Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, laptops, etc. will not be allowed beyond check-in.  These items should be left in your vehicle or at home. Court security will conduct screenings of bags and individuals entering the courtroom.

Upon check-in, you will complete a questionnaire that asks some questions about your background and demographics.  This information is provided to attorneys so they may determine who would be most appropriate for the jury.

Court staff will provide some instructions for the day and jurors will watch a brief video on jury proceedings.  Jurors will then be dismissed to the jury room while any preliminary matters are taken up in the courtroom.  Jurors will then be brought into the courtroom and seated in a random order.  Attorneys will ask jurors some questions.  Jurors will then return the jury room while the attorneys deliberate and agree on a jury panel.  At that time, the selected jurors will be seated on the jury panel and the rest of the jurors will be dismissed for the day.

Both selected jurors and not selected jurors will be provided a form stating they were required to report to Jury Duty that may be provided to their employer for proof of service.

Please be aware that if you are released you may be required to report again during the term.

Will I be compensated for my time as a juror?
If selected to serve on a jury panel, jurors are compensated $10 per day.  All jurors that report to the court for jury service when called will receive mileage compensation.

Where do I check-in?
Jury Trials are held at the Municipal Court located in Hermiston City Hall, 180 NE 2nd St., Hermiston, OR 97838.  Jurors will check-in at the front of the courtroom on the first floor.

Disclaimer
The information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice, it is provided for information only.  While we make every effort to provide accurate information, there is no guarantee as to the accuracy.