Jury Services

Jury Duty - An Honored Service 

The right to a trial by jury is a privilege that applies to both criminal and civil cases and is recognized as the foundation of the American court system, guaranteed by both the United States and California Constitutions. Jury trials cannot be held unless people like you are willing to perform their civic duty. Jurors are essential to the administration of justice.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are selected as a prospective juror, your availability is required until you are excused from the jury selection process. Please arrange your schedule to be available for the week you are on standby. If you are selected as a sworn juror or as an alternate juror, you must serve for the duration of the trial, and will need to arrange your schedule accordingly.

What to do when you receive a Jury Summons?

If you have been summoned to appear for jury duty please go to the link below:

Reporting for Jury Duty 

1. Please read summons in its entirety
2. If you do not qualify to serve as a prospective juror, please fill out the affidavit on the reverse side of your summons
3. Bring the summons and affidavit with you when reporting for service.
4. Check Online or by telephone the night prior to your scheduled date to confirm you are required to report. Please remember to check online or call, it may save you an unnecessary trip to the courthouse.

It is emphasized that if you are sick with respiratory symptoms, a fever or a cough, DO NOT report to jury service. Contact the jury commissioner's office at 831 775-5400 ext. 3006 to request that your jury service be deferred to a future date.

Qualifications for Jury Service

You do not qualify for Jury Service if:

• You are not a United States citizen;
• You are under 18 years of age;
• You are not a resident of Monterey County;
• You have been convicted of malfeasance in office and your rights have not been restored;
• You have been convicted of a felony and are currently incarcerated in prison or jail; currently on parole, post-release community supervision, felony probation or mandated supervision for the conviction of a felony. Currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code based on a felony conviction;
• You are currently serving as a grand or trial juror in any court of this state;
• You are the subject of a conservatorship;
• Active duty peace officers (PC830.1, PC 830.2(a), PC 830.33(a)) may also be excused from jury service.

If any of these conditions apply, the appropriate box on the summons must be checked and the summons must be signed and returned within five business days of receipt.

NOTE: A request to be excused from jury service based on language, undue hardship, financial burden, work hardship, or religious reasons must be made in court and can only be granted by the trial court judge on the date of your appearance.

Important Message from the Jury Commissioner  

Jury staff of the superior courts does not ask past or prospective jurors for information regarding credit card, bank account information and social security numbers. Please do not provide this type of information to anyone claiming to be associated with Jury Services. Please contact our office you receive this type of request.

 Jury Pilot Program

Jury Pilot Program AB 1981 - The court is participating in a pilot program to increase juror per diems to $100 per day with a mileage reimbursement of $0.67 per mile. 

Click the following links for more information about the AB1981 Jury Pilot Program.

Judicial Council Jury Pilot Program website 

Assembly Bill 1981.

AB 1981 Jury Pilot Program poster.

AB 1981 Jury Pilot Program FAQ.

Please complete our survey on  barriers to jury service, including financial and transportation hardships at ncsc.org/montereyjury .

Failure to Appear

Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedures Section 209, any juror who fails to respond to a jury summons as directed may be found in contempt of court, punishable by a fine, incarceration or both. If you have received a summons for jury duty and did not appear as instructed a Failure to Appear status has been added to your juror record. You will receive a letter directing you to contact the Jury Commissioner's Office to schedule a new date. Your Failure to Appear status will be vacated upon your appearance on the new date.

Additional Information

Childcare:

Child care is not available.

Dress Code:

Business attire is suggested. Shorts and tank tops are not permissible. Jurors are advised to dress in layers as the temperature of the jury assembly areas and courtrooms can be unpredictable.

Students:

Students may request to be postponed until the next school break. Status as a student is not a valid reason to be excused.

Juror Payment Fees:

The court is participating in a pilot program (see pilot program details above) to pay juror per diems of $100 per day with a mileage reimbursement of $0.67 per mile.

ADA:

If you require special accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Jury Commissioner's Office .