JUROR ELIGIBILITY

All U.S. citizens who are over the age of 18, a resident of the district that issued the jury summons, and able to read, write, speak and understand the English language are eligible to serve on a jury in the Northern District of Indiana. Of these people, only convicted felons without their rights being restored, meaning anyone who has been found guilty of a serious crime, cannot serve.

JUROR SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF JURY DUTY

Once you have received a Summons and Notice of Jury Duty letter, read the instructions carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at (877) 377-1219. Be sure to follow all the instructions contained in the letter.

EXCUSES / EXEMPTION

In certain serious cases, the court can permanently excuse prospective jurors.  If you have a personal situation that prevents you from being able to serve, please advise the Jury Clerk, in writing, at the Hammond address that is located on your Summons and Notice of Jury Duty letter.  A person is exempt or permanently excused if he or she is a felon, non-resident, non-citizen, full-time police officer, full-time fireman, member of the armed services or political official elected to office. If you fall into one of these categories, contact the Jury Clerk at (877) 377-1219 to explain your situation.

JOB AND SCHOOL

Your employer must allow you time off to serve on a jury. This is the law. This is intended to prevent any employer from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned for jury service and who has given reasonable notice of when the employee is to serve. Notice is generally considered reasonable if it is given as soon as possible once the employee has been summoned.

JUROR PAYMENT

Federal jury service allows payment of $50 a day plus round trip mileage.