​How Jurors are Selected

Jurors are selected at random from the county voter rolls.  All registered voters who are over the age of 21, have not been convicted of a felony crime, and have not been permanently excused from jury service are eligible to be a juror.  Juries are pulled four times a year (January, May, July, and September) for each court term. Grand Jury is selected twice a year (January and July).

Jury Summons Post Card - front

Jury Summons Post Card - back
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How can I be excused from jury service?
  • All requests to be excused from jury service should be emailed to [email protected] as soon as possible after receiving your summons.
  • ​Your request to be excused should include your name, as it appears on your summons, and the date you are to appear along with any necessary documentation to  substantiate your request (for example: doctor's note/records, letter from employer, work schedule, proof of travel plans, proof of new residency, acceptance letter and class schedule for students, etc.). All requests along with any documentation included will be forwarded to the Circuit Judge in Term for review and you will receive an email notifying you of the Judge's decision.
  • Persons over 65 years of age can be automatically excused from jury service by calling the clerk's office or emailing a request to the email address above.
  • Persons needing to be excused for medical reasons should provide the court with a note from his/her physician stating they are unable to serve.  
  • Full-time students should provide the court a letter of acceptance to the school they are attending and/or a class schedule.
  • People who work out of town (staying away from home overnight, i.e. construction or oilfield workers or truck drivers) should provide the court a letter from their employer and/or work schedule.  
  • Self-employed persons and those for whom jury service would create a severe financial difficulty must provide to the court a detailed explanation of their situation.  
  • There may be other circumstances for jury exemption, but those must be presented to the court for the judge to rule on in open court.  Please contact the clerk's office for more information.

Can I be permanently removed from jury service?
  • Only persons over the age of 65 (copy of drivers license must be provided) or persons of any age with a PERMANENT disability (a physician's note must be provided) can be permanently excused as jurors upon receipt of a signed and notarized affidavit.

​How much will I be paid for jury service?
  • Jurors are paid $35/day for jury service and the state mileage rate for mileage outside the county seat.

What is the number to call for juror instructions?
  • Jurors must call for reporting instructions before the date they are summoned to appear.  A recording with reporting instructions will be available by calling (601) 928-5246.  Jurors may begin calling after 6:00 pm on Friday before the reporting date on their summons.  

I've received a jury summons for US District Court.  Can I be excused?
  • Federal jury summons cannot be handled by the local circuit clerk.  You must contact the jury clerk listed on your summons.  If you need assistance contacting the federal court, give us a call at (601) 928-5246.
          If you are summoned for jury duty, you may opt in to receive reporting instructions via text message by texting SCJURORS to 91896. Once your jury service period is complete, text STOP to 91896 to no longer receive jury instruction text messages.
          You may also continue to call the clerk's office for jury reporting instructions at (601) 928-5246 after 6:00 pm before your scheduled date to appear .
           However, if you wish to be excused from jury duty, you must follow the instructions listed above and contact the court via email, postal service or call the clerk's office with your request.
**Disclaimer** 
​Once you have been notified by your jury summons it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you have received jury reporting instructions by either calling the clerk's office, opting in to receive a text message, being excused via email or checking the Circuit Clerk website.  
Over 65 or Disabled Permanently Excused Affidavit.pdf
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File Type: pdf
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Jury Room