Jury Duty

Why not? Trial by jury is a cherished constitutional right. Every resident of an area served by a circuit court who is at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and able to understand the English language, is qualified to serve as a juror.

No person who is qualified and able to serve may be excluded on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, income, age, ancestry, or physical condition.

A person selected for jury service is selected at random from a master listing using the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's list of people with motor vehicle licenses or identification cards who live in Dodge County.

Yes - in most instances. The law requires all qualified state citizens be available to serve as jurors. Not all persons summoned actually serve as a juror. A person may not be selected as a result of a process known as "voir dire" (pronounced vwa deer) whereby the judge and the parties in the case ask questions to determine a potential juror's qualifications or degree of impartiality to serve on a particular trial.

The court may excuse a person from jury service if the court determines the person cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a juror. If the court determines jury service would entail undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, serious obstruction or delay of justice, the court may defer service to a later date set by the court. The court may require a person document the basis for any excuse or deferral.

Jury service is a civic duty. State law protects your job. Your employer can't fire you, demote you, threaten nor intimidate you because of jury service.

There is no prescribed dress code.  Please dress comfortably and be mindful that you will be attending an official court proceeding.  Some courtrooms are colder than others.  You may want to bring a second layer.

Resolving legal disputes can be complex and unpredictable work. Often, cases are settled at the very last minute. When the jury is ready to hear the case, the parties often work out a last-minute compromise rather than gamble on what the jury will decide. These settlements may seem very inconvenient to you, but such settlements usually save time for all trial participants and saves the taxpayers' money.  You may want to bring something to read.

If you have a disability which will require an accommodation by the court to allow you to serve as a juror, please contact the Jury Clerk at 920-386-3930 as soon as possible.

Most trials last only one day, but may go into the evening.  When a trial does last longer than one day, the judge usually adjourns so that you can return home each day at a reasonable hour.  However, there does remain the possibility of being sequestered.

Now that you may actually have the opportunity to serve on a jury, you may be wondering just how to act and what exactly is expected of our as a juror. Your are in a position of responsibility. You are expected to conduct yourself in way that no one may question your impartiality and integrity as a juror.

The court has developed ten basic, yet very important, rules for jurors to follow. They are intended to help maintain order, fairness and impartiality in court proceedings.

Your most important qualifications are fairness and impartiality.  Please review the following ten rules:

1. Listen carefully and observe. — Weigh the credibility of witnesses and evaluate exhibits. You must base your decision on all the evidence presented to you.
    
2. Keep an open mind. — Do not form hasty opinions or conclusions. Wait until all the evidence is presented and closing arguments are made.
    
3. Control your emotions. — You may be presented with exhibits or testimony that make you uncomfortable. Be prepared. You should not give any visual or audible indication that you have been affected.
    
4. Do not discuss the case. — During the trial, you should not talk about the case to anyone, including other jurors. Such discussion could cause you to form conclusions before all the evidence has been presented.
    
5. Do not read, view, or listen to media accounts. — Newspaper, radio, television reports or social media accounts might present a biased or unbalanced view of the case. You must make your decision based on the evidence presented in court.
    
6. Do not talk with anyone related to the case. — You should not talk to attorneys, parties, witnesses, or anyone connected to the case. This might be perceived as an attempt to influence your verdict.
    
7. Do not investigate the case on your own. — Since the only evidence you can consider is that presented in court, you are not allowed to make an independent investigation or to inspect the places involved in the case on your own.
    
8. Report problems to the court. — If you become aware of anything that causes you concern, whether inside or outside the courtroom, the court should be made aware of it. Report your concern to the bailiff outside of the hearing of other jurors. Do not discuss the matter with other jurors.
    
9. Report emergencies to the court. — If an emergency or illness affects your jury service during the trial, inform the bailiff.
    
10. Be on time for court. — Since each juror must hear all the evidence, tardiness causes delay and wastes everyone's time.

Lunch will be provided to those selected as a juror for the trial.  You may also bring in your own lunch if you choose.

You may bring in reading material.  Cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc. may be brought in, but must be turned off before going into the courtroom.  If you are selected to be a juror for the trial, your electronic device (including smart watches, Fitbits, etc.) will be turned over to the bailiff.  Please do not bring beverages into the Courthouse. 

You will be paid $30 per day and .510 cents per mile round trip to the Courthouse for each day you are required to report. It is important that you inform the Jury Clerk or bailiff of your mileage so that you can be reimbursed properly.

Ample parking in front of the Dodge County Courts building is available.  The address is 210 W. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039.

If you provided your e-mail address and/or your cell phone number on the Juror Qualification Questionnaire, you will receive updates via e-mail and/or text message.  These updates will commence the Friday before your assigned week. 

The Wisconsin Court System has an excellent suite of services for jurors. Visit the Services for Jurors page.