Leelanau County Government>Jury Duty for Circuit Court

Jury Duty for Circuit Court

The right to a jury trial is a cherished privilege of American jurisprudence. It is guaranteed by the Michigan and United States constitutions. Courts need a method to select jurors. In the past, tax rolls and the registered voter lists supplied the names. Today, jurors are randomly drawn from the Secretary of State's list of driver licenses and identification card holders to serve a term of October through October each year.

The Leelanau County Jury Board consists of three members, who serve staggered terms and are of different political parties (Republicans and Democrats). They are appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. The board randomly draws 4,000 jurors from over 17,000 county residents each year and sends qualification questionnaires to those persons.

To qualify for jury duty, you must:

1. Be a United States citizen
2. Be conversant in English
3. Be a county resident
4. Be physically and mentally able to carry out the functions of a juror, and
5. Not be under sentence for a felony.

Persons 70 years of age or over may choose to exempt themselves from jury duty. This is the only basis for exemption.

Currently, each county sets their own jury compensation. State law sets the minimum amount at $50 for a full day, $25 for a half day and 37.5 cents per mile.

Qualified jurors are mailed a notice giving them the date and time of their service and where the trial will be held. A number is provided (231/256-8139) with direction to call after a certain time on a certain day to ascertain when and where the various panels need to attend.

Failure to complete and return a qualification or personal history questionnaire, or failure to appear for jury duty, is punishable by contempt of court. Prospective jurors have been arrested, found in contempt, fined and sentenced to jail. It is important to carefully follow directions received from the Jury Board and the Court.