PLACE OF HOLDING COURT
JOB PROTECTION
JUROR AVAILABILITY
INITIAL APPEARANCE
REPORTING INFORMATION
COMPENSATION FOR SERVING AS JURORS
POSTPONEMENT POLICY
REQUEST FOR EXCUSE
GROUNDS FOR REQUESTING EXCUSE
CHECK YOUR STATUS
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS
GRAND JURORS
FAILURE TO REPORT FOR JURY DUTY
PARKING FOR JURORS
PLACE OF HOLDING COURT
WESTERN DIVISION - LOS ANGELES
If you have been summoned for jury duty by the United States District Court in Los Angeles, which comprises the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura, you cannot be transferred from the U. S. District Court location. The address for the courthouse is:
U. S. District Court
Jury Assembly Room No. 329
312 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
1 (800) 327-3296
You are to report to the Los Angeles courthouse unless you are notified telephonically that you have been excused or postponed.
SOUTHERN DIVISION - SANTA ANA
If you have been summoned for jury duty by the United States District Court in Santa Ana, which comprises the County of Orange, you cannot be transferred from the U. S. District Court location. The address for the courthouse is:
Ronald Reagan Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
Jury Assembly Room No. 1030
411 West Fourth Street
Santa Ana, Ca 92701-4516
You are to report to the Santa Ana courthouse unless you are notified telephonically that you have been excused or postponed.
EASTERN DIVISION - RIVERSIDE
If you have been summoned for jury duty by the United States District Court in Riverside, which comprises the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, you cannot be transferred from the U. S. District Court location to a local state Superior Court. The address for the courthouse is:
United States Courthouse
Jury Assembly Room No. 120
3470 Twelfth Street
Riverside, CA 92501
You are protected by Federal Statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1875, from being discharged, intimidated or coerced by your permanent employer because of your attendance on the jury at this Court. Further information is available from the jury clerk. Also see MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS in the Jury Information menu.
As a petit juror (trial juror) you will be ON CALL to serve for a 2 week period beginning on the date that appears on your summons. You will call (800) 327-3296 after 7:00 p.m. on the evening prior to reporting to verify your appearance. The court asks that you be available to serve for a minimum of 8 days over a two week period. If you are not available, you must contact the Jury Section prior to your report date. The court has an Automated Jury Information System (AJIS) which provides current information regarding your status. If you need further assistance, you may contact the Jury Section at (213) 894-3644 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (except on holidays).
If you live 80 miles or more (one way) from the courthouse, you must call after 11:00 a.m. the day before you are to report.
Days that you are not available during your availability period can be accommodated, provided you have not been selected to be on a trial. Your jury service will then be extended accordingly.
Questionnaire: All prospective jurors must complete the Juror Qualification Questionnaire and return it to this office within 10 days. It may also be completed on-line from this website. The Jury Section enters all questionnaire information into its database. Your status is determined by your answers. A portion of this information is also entered into our automated telephone system. Juror information is confidential.
Automated Phone System: The Court uses an automated telephone system to inform jurors of their status and to provide reporting instructions. To receive information regarding your status, call (800) 327-3296 no earlier than 10 business days prior to your summons date. The automated system will ask you to enter your nine digit participant number, located just above your name/address on your summons. Please do not call the automated telephone system if you have not returned your questionnaire to this office. Our automated system also provides a computer-generated courtesy reminder call, so please be certain to provide your telephone number so we may contact you.
On-Call: You will be on-call for two weeks. Your jury service will begin on the date and time stated on your summons and you must be available to serve continuously for at least two weeks from that date. You must call the day before you are to report. Call after 7:00 P.M. to verify your appearance.
If you live over 80 miles or more from the Courthouse, please call after 11:00 a.m. the day before you are to report to obtain instructions. If reporting, you will travel the day before your report date. For fees you are entitled to receive see COMPENSATION FOR SERVING AS A JUROR.
Important Information: All persons entering the Courthouse are required to bring a valid photo ID. Jurors are required to pass through an electromagnetic magnetometer (metal detector). Please do not bring anything that may set off the detector. You may bring laptop computers and other personal computing devices. No picture taking is allowed.
Wireless Internet access is available in the jury assembly room.
Use of cell phones, cameras, or other electronic devices that have video, sound or photographic capabilities is prohibited in the courtrooms within the federal courthouse.
Due to budget restraints, there are no fax machines, printers or copiers available. There are several locations near the Court which offer these services for a nominal fee.
Dress Code: This is a U.S. District Court, and business attire is strongly suggested. Please do not wear tank tops, or shorts. Men must wear shirts with a collar and casual or dress slacks. Ties are not required.
Be prepared to stay until 5:00 p.m. on your first day. For jurors in the Western Division, only on your first day of service will you be required to appear at 8:00 a.m. On most days you will appear between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Please bring a pen with you and dress for an office type setting.
COMPENSATION FOR SERVING AS A JUROR
As a juror you are entitled to the following:
- $40.00 for each day of attendance.
Current mileage rate is 55¢ per mile, round trip. The mileage rate is subject to change by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and has been pre-calculated for you based on your zip code.
If you live 80 miles or more one way from the courthouse, you are entitled to a daily subsistence fee to cover hotel and meal expenses. On the day you must report please stay in a location within close proximity of the court.
The subsistence fee for the Western Division is $192.00 per day.
The subsistence fee for the Eastern Division is
$198.00 from January 1 to April 30
$156.00 from May 1 to September 30
$173.00 from October 1 to December 31
Since you do not know if you are going to be selected to be on a jury, you are requested to check out of your room on your summons date before reporting to the courthouse. If you are selected for a trial you may check back in later that day. It is recommended that upon checking in you inform the hotel manager of your situation.
The subsistence fee also covers any parking fee charged by the hotel. Hotel receipts are required.
When you return home you are entitled to a miscellaneous travel expense fee. The miscellaneous travel expense fee is $64.00.
These fees will be included in your juror paycheck, which will be mailed at the end of the week.
Federal employees, except Postal Service employees, are not entitled to attendance fees.
A juror may request a postponement, but must justify the reasons for the request. A postponement request may be managed on the telephone or in writing (email or letter); however, the completed questionnaire must be on file. Assume you are qualified and scheduled to report unless told otherwise after checking your status.
Pursuant to federal law 28 U.S.C. § 1869 (j), you may be excused from jury service or have your service postponed until a later date only if such service would result in “undue hardship or extreme inconvenience.”
If you do not provide all of the required information, you will automatically qualify for jury service and your service will not be excused or postponed. For your convenience we accept requests for excuse via fax, but we must have your signed questionnaire on file. The fax number is (213) 894-3751.
LANGUAGE: If you feel that you cannot read, write and understand the English language well enough to complete the juror qualification questionnaire, please have someone assist you. The person who helps you complete the questionnaire must identify themselves in the “Remarks” section. Please provide the following information on your questionnaire: your age; the number of years of education you have completed; the number of years you have lived in this country; the type of work you do; and the language spoken at work and at home.
PHYSICAL and/or MENTAL DISABILITY: Please explain in detail the physical and/or mental disability that prevents you from serving as a juror. If employed please explain how you manage this disability at work and why it cannot be managed while on jury service.
GROUNDS FOR REQUESTING EXCUSE
Prior Service: Any person who has served on a jury within the past 12 months. If you participated in the selection process but were not selected, you cannot claim this excuse. This excuse is for those people who actually heard testimony. Proof of service is required.
Care of Children: You may be excused if you have an obligation to provide full-time care for children, elderly or other dependant. If you are employed, please provide a detailed explanation describing your work arrangements and the type of care you are providing.
Distance from the Court: If you are claiming a hardship because you live 80 miles or more one-way from the Court, you must explain what that hardship is and why staying overnight at the Court’s expense would not relieve that hardship.
Business, Employment or Financial Hardship: If you are claiming a business, employment of financial hardship you must provide the following information.
- The name of your employer.
- How many employees work for the company.
- The number of days you would be paid for jury service.
- The number of people living in your household (provide ages).
- The number of people in your household who are employed.
- The total monthly income from all sources and total major monthly expenses.
Volunteer Safety Personnel: Any person who serves without compensation as a volunteer firefighter or member of a rescue team for a local or federal government may request to be excused from jury service. To claim this excuse you must not be employed full-time at another type of employment.
Remember to check your jury status before you report. All excuse requests must be submitted in writing. An excuse request must come from the prospective juror not the employer. Letters form employers or any other source will only be considered to support your request. Do not have your employer call the jury department.
Your employee has been summoned to jury duty in the United States District Court. Jurors are obligated to remain on call for jury service for a 2 week period. During that time, they may be called for a specific case and are usually released for the day between 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. In the 2 week period, the average time a juror will serve is 4-5 days in Los Angeles and 2-3 days in Santa Ana and Riverside.
In most instances, the burden of Federal Court jury service is not so overwhelming that it could not be absorbed by business or other establishments with relative ease. You may not know that in order to insure that the serious need for federal jurors is met, in 1978 the "Protection of Juror's Employment Statute" (Title 28, United States Code, Section 1875) was enacted. The statute demonstrates the attitude of the United States Congress toward assuring adequate representation and the corresponding duty of employers to their employees and to the justice system.
Financial hardship claimed as an excuse by an individual summoned for jury duty is not a valid reason for the Court to grant release especially if the individual is working regularly in a permanent position with a salary or set hourly rate. Unless there are some compelling reasons for that excuse, it will not be granted. If your employment policy is against paying employees while they are on jury duty, you are now asked to reconsider that policy. As you may know federal jurors are paid $40.00 per day for their services, paying the difference between your employee's salary should not be overly burdensome.
A Federal Grand Jury is investigatory (12 month term) or accusatory (6 month term), in contrast to a trial jury, hears a case and makes a determination. The purpose of the Grand Jury is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a person with a crime. If a Grand Jury determines probable cause, it issues a formal charge or “indictment.”
If you have received a qualification questionnaire you must complete and return it within 10 days. If you are impaneled as a grand juror for the United States District Court, Central District of California, you will be notified by mail when and where to report. Upon receipt of the summons, please complete the questionnaire and return it to the U. S. District Court within five days in the self-addressed envelope provided.
A request for an excuse or postponement must be in writing and included with your completed questionnaire. You may call the Automated Jury Information System (AJIS) to verify whether your request has been approved. To receive information regarding your status, call (800) 327-3296 no earlier than ten business days prior to your scheduled reporting date. Please do not call the automated system if you have not returned your completed summons.
A request for excuse will not be accepted over the telephone.
If you have a physical and/or mental disability that would prevent you from serving as a grand juror you must provide a detailed statement in the “Remarks” section of the qualification questionnaire. If you are employed please explain how you manage this disability at work and why it cannot be managed while serving as a grand juror.
You CANNOT be transferred from the United States District Court, Central District of California to any Superior Court.
On the impanelment day, if you so desire, you will have an opportunity to speak to a United States Magistrate Judge and personally request an excuse. If your request is denied, be prepared to participate and remain for the Grand Jury Selection, which will end at approximately 3:00 P.M.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
Approximately 350 grand jurors are expected to appear. The Jury Clerk will randomly select 4 or 5 groups, consisting of 23 members per group, to be grand jurors. A separate group of approximately 30 people will be selected as alternate grand jurors.
If you are not selected for Grand Jury Service, you will automatically be transferred to Petit Jury Service (trial jury service). You will receive further information regarding petit jury service.
If you are selected as a Grand Juror or alternate, please expect to remain throughout most of the day. The selection process and orientation will require your attendance.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Grand Jury Service is for a period of six or twelve months. If selected on a Grand Jury, you will appear once per week at the U. S. District Court located at 312 N. Spring Street. Advance notice will be given by mail.
FAILURE TO REPORT FOR JURY DUTY
Title 28 United States Code, Section 1864(b) states that persons who are summoned to appear for Federal Jury Service and fail to appear may then be ordered to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of court for noncompliance with the court summons. Persons then failing to appear or to show cause for nonappearance may be fined not more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than three (3) days, or ordered to perform community service or any combination thereof.
PARKING FOR JURORS
Western Division (for Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties)
Validated parking is available at 527 N. Spring Street (between Arcadia and Cesar Chavez).
If the lot at 527 N. Spring Street is full, the attendant will direct you to an alternate lot. If you park at any other lot, maximum reimbursement is $4.00 per day with receipt.
DIRECTIONS TO U. S. COURT HOUSE JUROR PARKING LOT:
Approaching Downtown on the South Bound 110 Freeway
Travel south on the 110 Freeway. Stay on "110 Downtown". Move over to the right lane. The sign says "South 5" "North 101". Go on "South 5". Exit on Broadway, turn left (stay in right lane). Make a right turn on Cesar Chavez Ave. Make a right turn on Spring Street. The parking entrance is located immediately after the bus stop.
Approaching Downtown on the North Bound 110 Freeway
Travel north on the 110 Freeway. Travel on left lane "Pasadena Hollywood". Pass sign that says "Hollywood Santa Ana". Move over to the far right side "Santa Ana 5 South". A sign will say "5" Santa Ana "10" San Bernardino. Pass Temple Street. Exit on Broadway, turn left and move to the right hand lane. Make a right turn on Cesar Chavez Ave. Make a right turn on Spring Street. The parking entrance is located immediately after the bus stop.
Approaching Downtown on the South Bound 101 Freeway
Travel south on the 101 Freeway. You will pass the Temple St. exit and Grand Ave. exit. Exit on Broadway, turn left (stay on right-hand lane). Make a right turn on Cesar Chavez Ave. Make a right turn on Spring Street (stay on right-hand lane). The parking entrance is located immediately after the bus stop.
Approaching Downtown From West Bound 60 Freeway or North Bound 5 Freeway
Transfer to North Bound 101 Freeway. You will pass Vignes Street exit. Exit on Alameda Street, go straight to Broadway, turn right (stay on right-hand lane). Make right turn on Cesar Chavez Ave. Make right turn on Spring Street. The parking entrance is located immediately after the bus stop.
Southern Division (for Orange County)
(Click here for driving directions.)
Validated parking is available at 201 West Third Street, Santa Ana (please note: there are two entrances to this parking structure, one on 3rd & Sycamore and one on 3rd & Broadway). Please show the parking attendant your jury summons.
If you cannot park at the parking facility at 201 W. Third Street, obtain a receipt from the parking attendant, present the receipt to the Jury Clerk and you will be reimbursed (maximum $12.00 per day) on your next juror paycheck. See map on next page for parking
facilities.
PARKING LOCATIONS:
Civic Center Parking (Flower & 6th Streets), $12.00 per day
Parton & Civic Center Drive, $4.00 per day
Jury Hotline for Directions and Parking: (714) 338-4798
Eastern Division (for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties)
(Click here for driving directions.)
There is a free-validated Juror Parking at 3535 12th Street Parking Structure (6-story building), between Lemon and Orange Streets. Entrances are on Lemon Street and 12th Street.
An attendant (12th Street only) may direct you to an alternate lot. Do NOT park in the County Administration Parking Lot (14-story building). Parking tickets are validated in the Jury Assembly Room.
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