General information

You will receive a summons to appear for jury service. It will ask you to report for jury service for a specific week.  Fill out the questionnaire and return it to the Court after detaching the instruction sheet.  The instruction sheet includes your group number, week of service, and hotline recording phone number.  Jury service is required by State law and is not optional.  Failure to comply with the call-in and reporting requirements constitutes contempt of court.

Term of service

Jury service in the 60th District Court is for a one week period. You may not be required to come to the court every day during that period.  Jurors are required to call the jury hotline recording after 5:00 p.m. each day to receive instructions for the following day.  You call Sunday evening for Monday's reporting status.  Instructions will include groups required to report, date and time to report, and where to report.

Compensation

You will be compensated for jury service as follows:

Juror's handbook

How jurors are selected:

Step 1 - Once a year the Secretary of State will compile a list of citizens who may be eligible to serve on a jury from a list that identifies citizens who possess a driver’s license or State of Michigan identification card.

Step 2 - 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 a jury.

How a jury is chosen:

When you arrive at the courthouse report to your assigned location.  The jury clerk will meet with you at that time and take roll call. You will then be directed to the courtroom. Before the selection of jurors begins, you will be asked to swear or affirm that you will truthfully answer the questions concerning your fairness and ability to sit as a juror on a particular case.

As a prospective juror you will be questioned by the judge or trial attorneys. This process, referred to as Voir Dire, is conducted to determine whether you have opinions or attitudes which would bias you in favor or disfavor of either side. While some questions may be personal in nature, they are not intended to embarrass you even if that becomes the result. They are asked to determine if there is a reason you should not sit on the case.

Jurors may be excused for cause for reasons such as a personal or financial relationship with a party which would impair their ability to be fair. In addition, each side may excuse a limited number of jurors by peremptory challenge without any reason. Jurors who are excused for cause may be eligible to sit on another jury.

Juror's Responsibilities:

Jurors must be prompt in arriving at the court. A trial cannot begin unless all jurors are present.

Jurors must give their undivided attention to the witnesses, attorneys, and proceedings. Remember that the outcome of the case is very important to those concerned.

The trial will begin with opening statements by the attorneys for both sides. The examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence will begin after opening statements.

In final arguments, both attorneys will have an opportunity to summarize their positions and review the facts of the case. At the conclusion of the final arguments, the judge will issue instructions to the jury concerning the law and its application to the particular case.

The jurors will then proceed to the jury room to begin deliberation. The jurors must select a foreperson who presides over these deliberations. You will discuss the evidence and attempt to arrive at a fair and impartial verdict based on the facts presented during the trial and the law as given by the judge’s instruction. When deliberations are complete, you will return to the courtroom for the presentation of your verdict.

For more detailed information on serving as a juror, please visit the Jury Commission web site.

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990 Terrace Street
Muskegon, MI  49442
Phone (231) 724-6294
Fax (231) 724-3489

Hours of Operation:
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday (Closed Holidays)