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WARNING: All potential jurors for Pinellas County, CLICK HERE.
How was my name selected?
Your name was selected from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles file.
This file includes all licensed drivers and persons who possess a
Florida Identification Card who are eighteen years old and older
and reside in Pinellas County. This list is updated each quarter
and is sent to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
You are eligible for
jury selection once every year.
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How long will I be there?
Plan on the entire day for your jury service. Jury service in the State of Florida is for one
day or the length of one trial. Some trials exceed one day.
Most juries are selected on the initial reporting day. Some trials will begin and conclude on the same
day. However, not all trials will finish or start on the same day. The length of the trial will be discussed
during the selection process. If you find that the length of the trial conflicts with a personal schedule,
you will be given the opportunity to explain this to the Judge during the jury selection process.
Reporting for jury service, even if not selected to sit on a jury, will count as completing your duty for
jury service.
Most jurors are required to report for their jury service at 8:15 AM at a specific courthouse location.
Please read your Jury Summons to determine which courthouse location you have been selected for.
There is not a specific time of day that the courts conclude. Most frequently the Court will conclude
around the “dinner hour”, but this varies with each trial.
We STRONGLY suggest that you bring any medications you might need with you and arrange for family matters
before you report for your jury service. You will always have access to a telephone and an emergency number
will be provided to you upon your arrival where family members can reach you in the unlikely event of an
emergency.
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Can I be excused or rescheduled?
There are some specific reasons a person can be excused from reporting for jury service. The list of reasons
is on your jury summons. If you feel you qualify for one of these reasons, you may complete your excuse
request form, SIGN IT and return it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court by mail or fax. Some excuse requests
can be processed “on-line”.
If the date you have been summoned for creates a conflict in your schedule, you may request to be rescheduled to
a future date ONE TIME. You can select the new date of your jury service “on-line”.
FOR ONLINE SERVICES, CLICK HERE.
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Where do I report & how do I get there?
Courthouse locations:
The courthouse you have been summoned to report to is listed on the front
of your Jury Summons. Click on the name for that courthouse for specific information relating to
that courthouse.
DOWNTOWN CLEARWATER COURTHOUSE
Transportation
Parking
Personal Comfort
(WIFI now available at this location.)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER
Transportation
Parking
Personal Comfort
(WIFI now available at this location.)
ST. PETERSBURG JUDICIAL BUILDING
Transportation
Parking
Personal Comfort
(WIFI now available at this location.)
For more information on reporting for jury duty, please CLICK HERE.
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Jury Compensation
Compensation (jury pay) is established by the State of Florida through Chapter 40 of the Florida Statutes.
You will be compensated $15.00 per day for the first three days of service if you are retired, unemployed
or your employer does not pay your regular wages while you serve as a juror. If your employer pays your
regular wages, you are NOT entitled to be compensated for the first three days of jury service. Please
complete the affidavit on your jury summons prior to reporting.
ALL jurors who serve more than three days will be compensated at the rate of $30.00 per day beginning on
day four.
There is no provision for reimbursement of meals or mileage.
Eligible jurors can receive compensation in cash or a check will be sent at the conclusion of each week.
If you do not choose to receive your compensation in cash on the day of your jury service, please be sure you have given
the jury clerk a correct mailing address so your check will be received.
Jury payment is considered taxable income. We do not send a W2, but the check stub will serve this
purpose.
Should you be eligible for compensation, you may elect to donate your jury compensation to one of three
court-approved programs. This may be done at the time of your service and is irrevocable. See your jury
clerk for this information.
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Court Security
Court security is the responsibility of the Sheriff of Pinellas County. Deputy Sheriffs will be present
at the entry of each courthouse and in each courtroom.
You must successfully pass through a magnetometer at each courthouse in the same manner you would at any
airport.
Firearms, pocketknives of ANY size, chemical sprays or cutting instruments ARE NOT permitted in any court
facility.
Open containers of any type WILL NOT be permitted into the buildings.
If you have any questions or need assistance while at the court facility, ask any Deputy, they will be happy
to assist you in any way they can.
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Reporting information
Court cases may resolve between the time your Summons was mailed and the time you are scheduled to
report! So, it is important that you call the REPORTING INFORMATION telephone number on the front of your jury
summons. This information is available after 5PM the evening BEFORE your report date. (This includes Sundays
and legal holidays.)
When you call, you will receive a RECORDED MESSAGE. Follow the directions on the message. You will need
to know your juror number before you call. Your juror number is located on the front of your jury summons.
You will be informed by this recording if you are still required to report.
Each location has a specific telephone number of that courthouse. The number is on the front of your
summons. PLEASE call the number for of facility where you are summoned to report.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER
14250 49th Street North
Clearwater, FL
(727) 464-6008
DOWNTOWN CLEARWATER COURTHOUSE
315 Court Street
Clearwater, FL
(727) 464-5050
ST. PETERSBURG JUDICIAL BUILDING
545 1st Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL
(727) 582-7999
Juror Service Comment Card
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Failure to Appear for Jury Duty
A trial by jury is a fundamental right of every person in the United States and is a very important part of
the Constitution. While it is understood that jury duty is not always convenient and can cause a hardship
it is still the duty and responsibility of every citizen of this country to serve when called.
In the State of Florida, Jury Duty is governed under chapter 40 of the Florida Statutes. Within this chapter
are penalties for those who do not report for jury service. “Any person who is duly summoned to attend as a
juror in any court and who fails to attend without any sufficient excuse shall pay a fine not to exceed $100,
which fine shall be imposed by the court to which the juror was summoned, and, in addition, such failure may
be considered a contempt of court.”
The Courts of Pinellas County have allowed for a single, ONE TIME, deferment of jury service to assist the
scheduling of jury service to reduce the inconvenience. (See can I be
excused or rescheduled?)
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Contact Jury Services
If you have any question and would like to contact Jury Services, below are the telephone numbers and email
address.
Office hours for jury services are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Jury Services will process all excuse requests on the same day as they are received and will respond by mail,
(look for the yellow postcard). We do not normally call you regarding your requests. Email inquiries will
be answered on the same day as they are received.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It seems like a lot of time is wasted during the juror selection process and that far too many people are summonsed to jury duty in relation to how many are actually needed to serve. Why can’t you make the process
faster and summon less people?
I know I will not be selected to be on a jury because of what I do for a living. Why not just excuse me immediately and save time?
I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be excused from jury service?
I have been called for jury service several times. I know many people who have never been called. Why don't you pick some other people?
Does my employer have to pay me while I am serving as a juror?
Can my employer prevent me from serving or can I be terminated from my job for having jury service?
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It seems like a lot of time is wasted during the juror selection process and that far too many people are summonsed to jury duty in relation to how many are actually needed to serve. Why can’t you make the process faster
and summon less people?
Many trial-related matters handled between the court and the attorneys must be addressed outside the presence of the jury. These events often arise unexpectedly and cannot be planned in advance. Cases may settle before a trial
is to start which eliminates the need for a jury. Some cases are longer in length and more difficult than others,
which may require a larger number of jurors for the selection process. These factors are unpredictable and at
times may negate the need for your services the day you arrive for jury service. It is the presence of available
jurors that enables the trials to proceed, and may, without your knowledge, accelerate a case being resolved.
When these instances occur you have played a vital role in our legal system despite not actually serving on a jury.
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I know I will not be selected to be on a jury because of what I do for a living. Why not excuse me now and save time?
The Pinellas County Circuit and County courts try both criminal and civil matters. The random selection process plus the
large number of cases set on the docket prevents you from knowing for what type of trial you may be selected. If the
judge excuses you from a certain case, you may be sent to another courtroom or you may be dismissed and have fulfilled your
jury service obligation. The Jury Management office can only excuse you if you are employed as a full-time law
enforcement officer.
Return to Frequently Asked Questions.
I am unable to judge anyone because of my moral or religious beliefs. May I be excused?
Florida law does now provide for an excuse from jury service for moral or religious beliefs. You are
still required to appear for jury service. Only the Court has that discretion. You may address these
concerns when you are before the Judge.
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I have been called many times for jury service and know many people who have never been called. Why don't you pick some other people?
The Florida statutes required the selection to be random and all names must are placed back on the list every year. Jurors are selected from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle files, which include both licensed Florida drivers and those who have a Florida identification card. Jurors who have served within one year from their last service date may be excused.
Return to Frequently Asked Questions.
Does my employer have to pay me while I am serving as a juror?
No. Florida state law does not require employers to compensate their employees while they are serving on jury duty.
Return to Frequently Asked Questions.
Can my employer prevent me from serving as a juror or can I be terminated from my job for having jury service?
No. Florida law prohibits any employer from preventing a person from serving as a juror or firing an employee who is serving on jury duty.
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Jury Duty
Excuse/Reschedule
There are some specific reasons a person can be excused from reporting for jury service.
The list of reasons is on your jury summons. If you feel you qualify for one of these reasons,
you may complete your excuse request form, SIGN IT and return it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court
by mail or fax. Some excuse requests can be processed “on-line”.
If the date you have been summoned creates a conflict in your schedule, you may request to be rescheduled
to a future date ONE TIME. You can select the new date of your jury service “on-line”.
REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED
REQUEST TO BE RESCHEDULED
NAME &/OR ADDRESS CHANGE
Excuse Requests
The following reasons can be processed on-line.
YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO SERVE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS<
- You are not a United States Citizen.
- You no longer reside in Pinellas County (New address is required)
- You are presently under prosecution for a crime.
- You are a convicted felon, civil rights not restored.*
*If you want to petition the State of Florida for
Restoration of your civil rights click here.
YOU MAY BE EXCUSED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS
- You are 70 years of age or older and wish to be permanently
removed.
- You are an expectant mother.
- You are a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 6
and not employed full-time.
- You are currently a full-time law enforcement officer.
If you are ineligible to serve or eligible for excusal for one of the above listed reasons,
please
CLICK HERE to submit your request online. You will need your Florida Drivers’ License number or Florida Identification Card number
AND your JUROR ID number. The Juror ID number is located on your summons for Jury Service.
View Summons for Jury Service (click to view).
OTHER REASONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING OR BY EMAIL. All written, email or fax requests should
be submitted 10 days prior to your report date.
For email request CLICK HERE.
Address & FAX number:
Jury Services
P.O. Box 18046
Clearwater, FL 33762-1046
FAX Number: (727) 464-7158
Remember to include your full name (as it appears on your jury summons), the
date and location of jury service, and your juror number.
If your request is denied, you MUST report for jury service at the date, time and location
listed on your summons.
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Request to be Rescheduled
You will need your Florida Drivers’ License number or Florida Identification Card number
AND your JUROR ID number. The juror ID number is located on your Summons for Jury
Service.
View Summons for Jury Service (click to view).
You may request to be rescheduled ONE time. If you have already been rescheduled or
failed to appear for a previous Summons for Jury Service, you will not be able to process your
request on-line.
To submit your request to be rescheduled on-line,
CLICK HERE.
If you have other questions, Email Jury Management.
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Name &/or Address Change
To protect you, your Florida Driver's License or Florida Identification Card number,
AND the ID number shown on the "Request to be Excused or Rescheduled" portion of your
Jury Summons will be needed. (the ID number begins with the letter, A, S, N, or G).
Click Here to submit your Name/Address Change Online
If you have other questions, Email Jury Management.
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ATTENTION: All potential jurors for Pinellas County are contacted
by U.S. mail.
We do not contact you by phone and do not ask for Social Security numbers,
credit card numbers or other personal information. Should you receive a phone call saying
that you have failed to report for jury service and they ask for personal information, this is a
potential identity theft scam.
Please DO NOT give out any personal information.
You may contact this office for information at (727) 464-6423.
Information from the FBI's website may be found here:
www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm
Snopes.com has also researched the scam: www.snopes..com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp
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