| What is Jury Services? |
The Jury Services Department is responsible for the coordination of jury services for both the county and circuit courts. This responsibility includes: the summoning and tracking of jurors; acting as a liaison between the court and prospective jurors in an effort to avoid the imposition of any undue hardships on the jurors, but at the same time ensuring that jurors are available to serve as needed by the court; maintaining juror records; and processing juror payrolls For orientation, the Jury Services personnel show a video and present a brief informational speech after which questions are answered. A television is accessible for selected viewing, and books and magazines are on hand. Telephones, vending machines, restrooms, and snack bar are all available on the second floor of the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse. |
| Where is Jury Services located? |
The Jury Services Department is located in downtown Tampa at the following location: Jury Services 2nd Floor George E.Edgecomb Courthouse 800 East Twiggs Street Tampa, FL 33602 Mailing Address: Jury Services P.O. Box 3388 Tampa, FL 33601-3388 For the convenience of the public, summons are mailed approximately five (5) weeks prior to the reporting date. This allows ample time to make necessary arrangements for baby sitters, doctor's appointments, work schedules, transportation, etc. |
| Who can serve? |
The basic requirements to be qualified as a juror are as follows: At least 18 years of age Citizen of the United States Legal resident of Florida and Hillsborough County; Not under prosecution for any crime; Possess a Florida Driver's License or identification card issued by the Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles; Have been convicted of bribery, forgery, perjury, larceny, or any other offense that is a felony AND HAVE HAD YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORED. The source of names of prospective jurors, effective January 1, 1998, is in accordance with Florida Statutes 40.011. Driver's license lists of motorists 18 years of age and older are used. Also used are the names of individuals 18 and older who hold identification cards issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Affidavits are available for non-drivers. Florida (Hillsborough County) residents who wish to voluntarily submit their names for use in compiling jury lists, the affidavits are available in room 201 in the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse.
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| Where can I receive general information? |
A recorded telephone message which gives jurors general information is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If they wish to speak to a clerk, they are available between 8 AM and 5 PM weekdays. Call 276-2029, Ext. 4747. |
| Do I still need to report? |
Jurors are instructed to call a recorded message for instructions prior to reporting. This message is updated prior to the report date to ensure that jurors do not report unnecessarily. This procedure has consistently resulted in savings to the county, as well as in eliminating unnecessary inconvenience for the juror. Please call 276-2029, Ext. 4747 the night before (after 5PM) you are to report, even if this is a Sunday or holiday. A recorded message will tell you whether you still need to report. The message will refer to your juror number, so please have your summons in hand when calling. Persons using a rotary telephone must call between 8 AM - 4 PM Monday through Friday. Unless otherwise notified, please report to jury duty as directed by your printed summons. Please arrive on time. We will start checking in jurors at 7:30 AM to accommodate early arrivals. |
| How long will I be there? |
Your term of service will usually be for your report date, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday only; or if chosen to serve, the completion of one trial. Please allow the entire day for service. Jury selection is usually an all day process. When you are taken into the courtroom, the judge will advise you as to when the trial will start and how long they anticipate the trial lasting. You are encouraged at that time to notify the court of any concerns you may have with the schedule. A person who was summoned and who reported as a prospective juror is exempt from jury service for one year from the last day of service. |
| Is everyone required to serve? |
If you claim an optional exemption or mandatory disqualification listed below, you will be excused. Optional Exemptions: Expectant mother; Parent not employed full time and who has custody of a child under 6 years of age; Full Time Law Enforcement Officer or Law Enforcement Investigative Personnel Person (with powers to arrest); 70 years of age or older, may request a permanent or one-time excusal Please note, the election of any "Optional Exemptions" with the exception of Persons 70 years of age or older requesting permanent exemption, will not permanently remove you from the list. Mandatory - Disqualification: Convicted felon, civil rights not restored; Under prosecution for any crime; No longer residing in Hillsborough County; Not a U. S. citizen It is not necessary to contact our office to see if you have been excused. |
| May I be excused for personal reasons? |
Extraordinary requests for postponement will be submitted to the qualifying judge for individual review. The request must be received no less than five (5) working days prior to your reporting date. A representative from Jury Services will notify you ONLY if your request is denied. If you are not contacted, your request is granted. A new jury summons will be issued for a later date on all postponements. It is not necessary to contact our office to see if you have been excused. Mail all excusal requests to: Clerk of Circuit Court Jury Services P. O. Box 3388 Tampa, Florida 33601-3388 Excusal requests may also be faxed to the following number: (813) 272-5568. |
| Will I get paid? |
If you will receive regular pay from your employer during jury service, you are not entitled to compensation for the first three days of jury service. If you will not receive regular pay, you are entitled to $15 per day for the first three days of service. All jurors will receive $30 on the fourth day and each day thereafter. The compensation request located on your jury summons must be completed before reporting on the scheduled date, and must be turned in when reporting to receive compensation. Any juror who is excused from jury service at the juror's own request is not entitled to receive any compensation. |
| Where do I park? |
There is free parking for jurors at the following locations: City of Tampa Parking Garage (entrance 6' 7" high) located on the 900 block of East Twiggs Street (west of Nebraska Avenue). Fort Brooke Parking Garage (entrance 6' 7" high) located on the corner of Florida Avenue and Whiting Street. If your vehicle exceeds a height of 6' 7", you must park at the City of Tampa - Jackson Street Parking lot. This is an open parking lot located at the corner of Kennedy and Florida Avenue. In order to receive free parking at the garages listed above, you must bring your parking receipt for validation when reporting.
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| What type of clothing is appropriate? |
Business casual attire is considered appropriate for men and women. No shorts. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Courtrooms are air-conditioned. For your comfort, you may wish to bring a sweater or a light jacket. Bring an umbrella in case of rain. |
| What do I do if I need special accommodations? |
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Jury Services, 2nd Floor, George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, Florida 33602, or telephone (813) 276-2029, Ext. 4747 within two (2) working days of your receipt of this jury summons. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8771. Please call (813) 276-2029, Ext. 4747, after 5pm, the night before you are to report, even if this is a Sunday or holiday. A recorded message will tell you whether you still need to report. The message will refer to your juror number, so please have your summons in hand when calling. Persons using a rotary telephone must call between 4 PM - 5 PM. Monday through Friday. |
| What is a petit jury? |
A petit jury is a group of citizens picked to weigh the evidence and decide the issues of trial in court. Cases which come before a petit jury are divided into two general classes, civil and criminal. In a civil trial, parties in dispute come into court to determine and settle their respective rights. The person who brings an action against another is the "plaintiff." The person against whom the action is brought is the "defendant." In a criminal trial, the persons bringing the action are the people of the State of Florida, represented by the "prosecutor." The "defendant" is a person or corporation accused of a violation of law. Jurors are sent to court at random, and it is not known whether the case is civil or criminal until a bailiff arrives in the auditorium. The bailiff then escorts the panel of prospective jurors to the courtroom to be questioned. |
| What is a grand jury? |
A grand jury has broad powers to investigate a wide range of criminal offenses and to examine the performance of public officials and public institutions. Its deliberations are conducted in secret, in conjunction with the State Attorney or a designated assistant state attorney. The grand jury consists of members who serve a six-month term of duty with the court. If there is sufficient evidence, person(s) indicted and charged with a crime will appear before a petit jury. A petit jury is a group of citizens picked to weigh the evidence and decide the issues of trial in court. Prospective jurors for the Spring Term grand jury initially report the first Tuesday in April, and prospective jurors for the Fall Term grand jury initially report the first Tuesday in October. After the selection of the grand jury, jurors usually report on Wednesdays unless otherwise indicated. Jurors do not necessarily report every Wednesday of the month. Grand jurors names are selected from the same source list as petit jurors. They are paid on the same basis as trial jurors. |
