Frequently Asked Questions

If you are not a county resident, you do not have to serve a juror in this county. You should note that information in writing on your juror questionnaire.

Effective July 1, 2014, prospective jurors who appear at the Franklin County Court Building will receive $10 the first day of service and $20 for all subsequent days of jury service. Prospective jurors who have appeared at the courthouse for jury duty in Coffey and Anderson County receive $40.00 a day for their service. Summoned prospective jurors who appear at the courthouse for jury duty in Osage County receive $30.00 a day for their service. Jurors living outside the city limits of the courthouse will be reimbursed for their mileage. Payment is made by the county around the first day of following month.

While there is no law regarding age, the 4th Judicial District will excuse jurors over the age of 70, if requested. Please indicate your preference on the juror questionnaire.

The Fourth Judicial District will accommodate anyone wishing to serve as a juror. Please indicate your needs when you return the questionnaire. You may also request relief from serving as a juror if the service creates a hardship.

The 4th Judicial District will not require you to serve as a juror more than once in a 12 month period. If you are summoned twice in a year's time, please indicate such on your questionnaire and court personnel will excuse you.

The 4th Judicial District uses the list of licensed drivers provided by the state. A computer randomly selects a pool of potential jurors for each trial. If your mailing address is incorrect on the summons, it is usually because the information is incorrect on the driver’s license list received from the state.

If you are a full time college student, living a considerable distance from the city where court is held, please indicate that on your juror questionnaire. Each student requesting excused status will be reviewed on an individual basis.

No, parents with children at home are not automatically excused from jury service. If we excluded all parents with children at home our jury pool would not truly be representative of our community. You are responsible for arranging for your own child care if you are called for jury service.

The Clerk of District Court will provide every juror with a letter for your employer when you arrive and check in for your jury service.

Jury service is the duty of all citizens, including employers and employees. Employers must not reprimand you for jury service. District Court will provide documentation of your attendance for your employer. If you have any questions or problems please call the telephone number on your summons.