Jury Service

Justice for All: Orientation to Jury Service features judges, academics, and former jurors explaining what to expect when called to jury service, including the jury selection process, the trial, and jury deliberations.

Answering the Call for Jury Service

A History of Jury Service: A More Perfect Jury, explores the history of jury service from its beginnings in English common law, into the Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage movements, as well as new changes to California juries created by recent legislation.

Jury Service and Fairness: Understanding the Challenges of Implicit Bias, serves as a guide and a tool for jurors to identify whether they may have preconception that would impact their ability to serve. Originally developed by the Perception Institute and made in collaboration with the New York Unified Court System in 2021, it was adapted in 2023 by the Judicial Council in partnership with the California Judges Association.

You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to serve as a juror. However, you must keep an open mind and be willing to make decisions based solely on the facts, free from personal feelings or biases.

You are qualified for jury service if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a U.S. citizen.
• You are 18 years or older.
• You have sufficient knowledge of English.
• You are a resident of Plumas County and eligible to vote in California.
• You have not served on a jury within the last 12 months.
• You are not currently serving on a grand jury or trial jury.
• You are not under a conservatorship.
• If your civil rights were previously restricted, they have been restored.

The "one-day or one-trial" system is designed to make jury service more manageable while ensuring a sufficient number of jurors are available for trials. Here’s how it works:

• You are summoned and required to appear at the courthouse at the designated time.
• If you are not selected for a jury that day, you are excused, and your obligation is satisfied for at least a year.
• If you are selected for a jury, your service on that trial satisfies your obligation for at least a year.

This system minimizes the inconvenience of jury service while preserving the jury process. It relies on citizens like you to honor their duty by responding to the court’s summons.

Jurors' names are selected at random from the following sources within Plumas County:

• Registered voters.
• Individuals with a driver’s license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Individuals who have paid state taxes through the Franchise Tax Board.

If you have responded to a summons or already served as a juror within the past 12 months, please notify the court.

If business or personal matters make it difficult to serve on your scheduled date, you may request a postponement. For assistance, please contact the Office of the Jury Commissioner at:

• (530) 283-6440
• Toll-Free: 1 (888) 229-0990

The judge may excuse qualified jurors who face undue hardships, such as:

• Extreme financial burden.
• Transportation issues.
• Physical or mental disability.
• An obligation to care for another person (excluding child care, which does not qualify).

You may request to be excused from jury service if any of the following apply:

• You are physically or mentally incapacitated.
• You have a personal obligation to care for a sick or elderly dependent.
• You are a peace officer under Penal Code § 830.1(a) or 830.2(a).

Documentation Required:

• For physical or mental incapacity or a care obligation, you must submit a doctor’s letter of verification (including the duration of the condition) when returning your jury summons.

Questions or Concerns
If you have questions about your jury service, please contact the Office of the Jury Commissioner:

• Phone: (530) 283-6440
• Toll-Free: 1 (888) 229-0990
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 3 PM

You may also submit written inquiries to:

Office of the Jury Commissioner
520 Main Street
Room 304
Quincy, CA 95971

You don’t need to speak perfect English to serve as a juror, but you must have sufficient knowledge to understand and participate in the proceedings. The courts serve all people and communities, so it is important that jurors represent the diversity of those communities.

Yes, you will be paid by the court a Per Diem of $15.00 per day starting on the second day of jury service. Additionally, you will receive 34¢ per mile for travel in both directions, also beginning on the second day.

Jurors who are employed by a federal, state, or local government entity or by any other public entity and receive regular compensation and benefits are not eligible for the Per Diem payment. To determine if your employer falls into this category, refer to CCP § 481.200. For more general information, see CCP § 215.

By law, your employer must allow you time off to serve on a jury—jury service is that important. Section 230(a) of the California Labor Code protects employees from being fired or harassed for serving on a jury, as long as they provide reasonable notice of the time needed to serve.

Reasonable notice is generally defined as notifying your employer as soon as possible after receiving your jury summons.

While state law does not require employers to continue paying salaries during jury service, many employers choose to do so voluntarily.

The length of a trial varies based on the complexity of the issues and the time jurors spend on deliberations. Most trials are completed within a few days to a week.

When your group is called for jury selection, the judge will provide an estimate of how long the trial is expected to last. Judges understand that long trials can be challenging and will discuss this with potential jurors during the selection process.

Please be patient throughout the process, as many of your fellow jurors will likely share similar concerns.

During a trial, the judge serves as the court's presiding officer and the final authority on the law. The lawyers act as advocates, presenting their cases on behalf of their clients.

As a juror, your responsibilities include:

• Listening to the opening statements and closing arguments from both sides.
• Learning about and evaluating the evidence presented during the trial.
• Participating in jury deliberations to discuss the case with fellow jurors.
• Reaching a decision or verdict based on the evidence and the law.

The Trial Process Includes:

1. Jury Selection
2. The Trial
   • Opening statements.
   • Presentation of evidence.
   • Closing arguments.
   • Jury instructions from the judge.
3. Jury Deliberations