OFFICE OVERVIEW:
Greene County has two Jury Commissioner seats, one of which, by law, must be filled by a Democrat and one of which must be filled by a Republican. The Jury Commissioners are responsible for filling the jury list at the beginning of each year with the names of approximately 1,500 citizens of Greene County.
The Jury Commissioners are responsible for filling the jury list at the beginning of each year with the names of approximately 1,500 citizens of Greene County. Throughout the year, the President Judge issues a court order requesting that a certain number of jurors be impaneled to hear the civil and criminal cases coming before the court. The Jury Commissioners then select the appropriate number of jurors who are to report for the scheduled term.
JURY ELIGIBILITY:
The American justice system is based on a trial by a jury of one's peers; thus, a cross-section of jurors is necessary. The list of potential jurors is comprised of names from voter registrations, Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and telephone directories, as well as volunteers.
Note that one does not need to be registered to vote to be called for jury duty. A juror is permitted to serve every three (3) years.
In order to be eligible to serve, an individual must:
Be at least 18 years of age or older
Be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of Greene County
Be able to read, write and understand English
Be physically and mentally capable of serving
Not have been convicted of a crime
Anyone unable to serve due to medical reasons may be excused, but all medical excuses must be supported by a letter from a physician.
Jury service may seem like an inconvenience, interrupting personal and business lives, but it is a unique opportunity as citizens/taxpayers. Jury service is not only a responsibility, but also an opportunity to participate in the American justice system, to learn firsthand how it works and to help make it work better.
The effectiveness of the jury system depends upon your willingness to serve as well as your honesty, integrity and judgment.
JURY TOUR OF DUTY:
The average case in Greene County runs for three days. Jurors receive $9 a day for the three days and $25 each day thereafter, plus a 40-cent-per-mile mileage reimbursement rate. Free parking for jurors is provided by the county. All jurors must appear for service no later than 8:30 a.m.
Jurors will receive approximately an hour for lunch. There are a number of convenient, affordable restaurants within a short walk.
Once prospective jurors receive a summons, they will need to determine whether they have been summoned to the criminal or civil division. This information can be found at the top right-hand corner of the summons. Prospective jurors will find their juror number, service date and time to report on the summons.
Finally, prospective jurors must determine whether they are stand-by jurors or regular jurors. Stand-by juror summons are identified by an "X" in the box on the left-hand side of the summons.
Stand-by jurors are instructed to call the Jury Commissioners’ Office to find out if they are required to report for criminal court or civil court.
Civil Division: Jurors called to the civil division are likely to hear an allegation that a citizen has been injured as a result of the actions of another citizen or corporation. They may hear cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability or contractual disputes. They will be asked to determine whether the defendant is liable for the plaintiff's injuries or has breached a contractual duty.
Criminal Division: Jurors called to the criminal division will hear allegations brought by the Commonwealth against a fellow citizen. They may hear cases involving theft, DUI, drugs, burglary of a home, robbery of a person, rape, shooting or murder. The penalties range in seriousness from probation or a fine to incarceration and, in extreme cases, death. In criminal court, jurors stand as 12 judges of the facts between a fellow citizen and the jailer's door.
MEETING YOUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY:
To meet your responsibility, you are expected to decide the facts and apply the law fairly and impartially. The performance of jury service is the fulfillment of a civic obligation. Conscientious service brings its own reward in the satisfaction of an important task well done. There is no more valuable contribution a citizen performs than that of being a juror. Equally important, we hope that your service as a juror will provide you with greater insight and appreciation for all that is involved in the administration of justice.
The Board of Judges expresses its appreciation to you for your service.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Why should I serve as a juror? The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of trial to any person accused of a crime. In addition, citizens rely upon jurors for the protection of life, liberty and property. Jurors aid in the maintenance of law and order, and their presence as jurors is invaluable. On occasion, they may be required to wait for what seems a long time, but their attendance makes possible the operation of many important phases of the trial procedure.
Absences would cause all of these proceedings to be delayed. Those who serve as jurors are participating in one of the fundamental institutions of democracy.
What kind of job protection do I have while serving as a juror? An employer may not deprive an employee of his or her employment or threaten or otherwise coerce a person because the employee received a subpoena, responded and served as a juror. Any employer who violates this law is guilty of a summary offense. If an employer penalizes an employee for serving on jury duty, the employee, within six (6) months, may bring a civil action against the employer to recover lost wages and benefits. The employee also is allowed a reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the court.
There is no provision in the law requiring an employer to pay an employee wages while on jury duty. However, statistics show that approximately 74 percent of juror costs are borne by the employers in the form of jury leave. Many unions make provisions for jury duty in their union contracts.
How am I compensated for jury duty? In accordance with state law, jurors summoned to serve receive compensation at the rate of $9 a day for the first three days that they shall be required to report for service, and $25 a day for each day thereafter. In addition, jurors are compensated for mileage.
What is the purpose of stand-by jurors? Another feature of the one-day or one-trial system is the selection of stand-by jurors. A percentage of jurors summoned daily are on stand-by alert and are requested to call a pre-determined telephone number in either criminal or civil court on the day before they are to report to learn if they are needed for jury duty the next day. This system is designed so that an excessive number of jurors need not sit for a long period of time when extra jurors are not needed.
On the jury subpoena, a stand-by juror is indicated by an "X" in the box on the left-hand side of the subpoena. The stand-by provision affords significant financial savings to the taxpayers of Greene County.
In an emergency, can I postpone my jury duty? Before the one-day or one-trial jury system, postponement of jury service was not a routine consideration extended to prospective jurors. Now, persons summoned to serve for jury duty may request temporary postponement or deferral of service due to emergencies, extreme inconvenience or hardship. Upon request, the court will then defer the prospective juror to a later, more convenient date. The court tries to be reasonable and accommodating and will carefully consider every situation.
What if I have a medical condition; can I be excused from jury duty? Anyone unable to serve due to medical reasons may be excused, but all medical excuses must be supported by a letter from a physician.
Who can I contact about rescheduling my jury duty? For a postponement or excusal from jury duty, or for any questions concerning jury service, please call the Jury Commissioners’ Office.
Today's date is:
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
