JUROR INFO

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0b7285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <B>28th DISTRICT COURT</B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="0b6d2c00dkelyh.png"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="28th DISTRICT COURT"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B>LOCATION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ALL ABOUT THE COURTS"><U><B>ALL ABOUT THE COURTS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="JUDICIAL STAFF"><U><B>JUDGES</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TRAFFIC DIVISION"><U><B>TRAFFIC DIVISION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.28thdistrcitdriver.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.28thdistrcitdriver.com"><U><B>DRIVER IMPROVEMENT</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CIVIL DIVISION"><U><B>CIVIL DIVISION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B>CRIMINAL DIVISION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PROBATION DEPARTMENT "><U><B>PROBATION DEPARTMENT</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WARRANT TEAM"><U><B>WARRANT TEAM</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="JUROR INFO"><U><B>JUROR INFO</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B>PUBLIC ACCESS FORMS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://courts.michigan.gov/links_of_interest.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://courts.michigan.gov/links_of_inte"><U><B>LINKS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:info@28dc.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@28dc.com"><U><B>CONTACT US</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>JUROR INFO</I></div> <div> <I><IMG SRC="0e56cdf0.jpg" border=0 width="364" height="223" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> <B>JUROR INFO PAGE</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>What are my obligations regarding Jury Duty?</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="jury_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" >A juror is a person who has been selected for jury duty. A jury is a group of individuals randomly selected from the community, sworn in by the court, and asked to deliver a decision in a court proceeding. Jurors are an important part of the legal system.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Individuals called for jury duty are randomly selected using driver license and personal identification cardholder lists provided by the Secretary of State. If you have been selected, read the juror summons or notice carefully. It will explain where and when you must appear.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> You must respond to the jury summons. </div> <div> <B>Individuals who are exempt from serving on a jury are: </B></div> <div> <B>1)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals who are not citizens of the United States;<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>2)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals who no longer live in the city or county which </div> <div> issued the summons;<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>3)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals who do not speak or understand the English language;<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>4)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals with a physical or mental disability that would prevent </div> <div> them from serving; </div> <div> <B>5)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals over the age of 70 who do not want to serve on a jury;<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>6)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals who have served as a juror during the past 12 months;<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>7)</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="ElegaGarmnd BT" > </FONT>individuals who are under sentence for a felony.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>AN OVERVIEW OF JURY DUTY IN MICHIGAN</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>WHY</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>WE HAVE A JURY SYSTEM</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Under the Constitution a US citizen is given certain rights; the right to a Jury trial is one of those rights<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Participation in Jury trials provides citizens with an opportunity to:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Incorporate community values into dispute resolution</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Guard against abuse by power of legislatures, businesses, and government agencies</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Avoid arbitrary or unfair actions by individual Judges</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Protect the rights of all citizens</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>WHY</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>JURORS ARE SELECTED</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Jurors are important and necessary participants in our Judicial system. Legal disputes ( cases ) often will not actually go to trial ( be heard by a Judge or Jury ), because citizens are prepared to participate as Jurors--sitting and waiting in the Jury room<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> A Jury panel that is ready to hear a case can motivate all parties involved in a dispute to reassess their risks and claims. Much like in a game of poker, the attorneys for both sides of dispute think that they have the "winning hand" The mere presence of the Jury " calls all bluffs " For example, it is common for a Court to schedule 30 to 60 cases for a trial in a single day because the Jury is waiting and able. Typically, only 3 to 5 of those cases will<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> actually go to trial as scheduled.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>HOW</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>JURORS ARE SELECTED</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> STEP ONE:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Once a year the Secretary of State will compile a list of citizens who may be eligible to serve on a Jury room from a list that identifies citizens who possess a driver's license or State of Michigan identification card.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> STEP TWO:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Identified citizens are mailed a Juror Qualification Questionnaire. After the questionnaire is completed, returned, and evaluated, a " qualified " citizen may be called to serve on Jury Duty.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>WHAT</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>TO EXPECT IF YOU ARE SELECTED</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> As an active participant in the justice system, a citizen who serves as a Juror can expect to:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Be treated with dignity and respect</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Have court facilities and procedures identified and explained, as needed throughout the assigned Jury duty service period</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Have questions answered by the appropriate Court staff member as allowed by the law</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Be informed of and comply with rules and guidelines that are designed to ensure the integrity of our legal process</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>WHEN</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>YOU ARE INSIDE A COURTROOM</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Once a trial by Jury begins, "qualified" citizens are convened inside a courtroom. A Juror may be excused if the Judge determines there is a valid reason that the Juror should not serve in this case. In addition, each lawyer has a right to excuse a certain number of Jurors without giving a reason for doing so. </div> <bR> <div> The Jury selection process is called "<I>voir dire".</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> There are special rules and considerations that attorneys apply and make when conducting <I>voir dire</I>. The fact that a citizen is excused from a Jury service does NOT reflect on the citizen's fitness to serve. A citizen who is excused from Jury duty on one trial may very well be selected to serve on another.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>THE JUDGE IS THE FINAL VOICE OF AUTHORITY FOR COURTROOM PROCEDURES</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Jurors are expected to pay close attention to and strictly follow all instructions given by the Judge.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>ABOUT</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>DELIBERATIONS ( DECIDING A VERDICT )</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> After the facts of a case have been presented by each party the Jury is sent to a Jury room to decide the verdict. Inside the Jury room the Jury members will select a foreperson whose job it is to collect ballots and to announce the verdict when asked to do so by the Judge. All Jurors are individually independent and equal. NO ONE JUROR HAS MORE " WEIGHT " OR POWER THAN ANY OTHER JUROR. </div> <bR> <div> IN REACHING A DECISION JURORS MUST REMEMBER TO:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Keep an open mind</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Discuss the facts of the case by sharing information and points of view</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Apply "Jury instructions " appropriately</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Decide on a verdict that is based on the facts of a case as they were presented inside the courtroom</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://28thdistrictcourt/id33_summons_for_jury.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://28thdistrictcourt/id33_summons_fo"><U><B><U>CLICK HERE FOR</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://28thdistrictcourt/id33_summons_for_jury.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://28thdistrictcourt/id33_summons_fo"><U><B><U>SUMMONS FOR JURY DUTY</U></B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://28thdistrictcourt/id33_summons_for_jury.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://28thdistrictcourt/id33_summons_fo"><U> </U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>