Parking availability varies widely from one county to another. Parking is dependent upon the availability of county and municipal resources. Parking in urban areas can present some difficulty. Please see the parking suggestions on the individual court location web pages.

Proper dress is required. Please be respectful of the court proceedings. Weapons of any kind and all sharp or dangerous instruments are prohibited in the court building. Jurors are not exempt from metal detection screening and your cooperation and patience is appreciated. 

Upon entering the local court building, you will be directed by security to the jury assembly area. You will be greeted and checked in.  If you have any particular needs (i.e. medication, physical limitations, etc.), let the court personnel know so that accommodations can be made. Since there may be some waiting involved as other jurors are being processed and the jury trial process begins, many jurors like to bring reading materials or other items to occupy the down time.

As soon as all of the preliminary arrangements have been completed, you will be greeted by a representative of the Commissioner of Jurors office and shown an instructional videotape. You will also be given other written materials including an exit questionnaire and juror’s handbook.  During this time you will learn about the jury selection process. Shortly thereafter, the process of selecting actual jury panels will begin. 

People who are called to jury service may be assigned to one of several trial courts.  These courts possess varying powers to hear and decide different categories of legal matters. 

The first phase of a jury trial involves the selection of particular jurors--a screening process which is known as “voir dire.”

In a criminal case, a judge will always be present during jury selection.  In a civil case, the judge will normally commence the voir dire and generally oversee the entire selection process.

The voir dire (jury selection) consists of questions and dialog which are designed to explore the life experience of jurors in order  to determine who is best suited to serve on the specific trial. 

We greatly respect the enormous contribution of time and expense that our jurors make to undertake this important public service and will do everything we can to try to make the experience enjoyable and worthwhile.