JURY DUTY: Jurors are obligated for one day or one trial, whichever is longer. This procedure was designed for the convenience of citizens called as jurors.
Potential jurors are summoned by mail. Once you have received a Juror Summons letter, you must call the taped message at (734) 671-6862 one day prior to your jury service date, after 4 p.m. (unless directed otherwise).
If the message states that you need to report for jury duty, you must report to the 33rd District Court, however if the message states that you do not need to report, you do not need to report.
Excusals – A copy of the Michigan statute identifying persons who are exempt from jury duty is provided below. If you are in one of these categories, please send a letter to the court stating the reason you choose to exempt yourself.
NOTE: If you have moved out of the district, you must send a copy of the front and back of your driver’s license showing your new address in order to be excused. If you are requesting an excusal due to a language difficulty or personal belief not addressed by the statute, you must appear at the court, and a determination will be made in court on your service date.
Reasons for Jury Duty Deferral
Students: Requests for deferral must include a letter indicating the institution where you are currently enrolled and specifying three possible weeks that you could serve during the next six (6) months
Scheduling Conflicts: Approximately 95% of our jury trials are completed in one day or less. However, if you have scheduling conflicts, you may send a written request for deferral indicating the reason and the dates that you will be unavailable.
Medical Deferrals: Requests must be accompanied by a doctor’s letter
Time Guidelines: All deferral or excusal requests must be received, in writing, by the court at least 10 days prior to scheduled jury service date. The request reason must be clearly specified. If a deferral is granted, you will receive another summons for jury duty within one to two months.
Emergency Deferral Requests – If you need an emergency deferral, call the court immediately. You will also need to write a letter explaining the circumstances. Please note you will be summoned for jury duty again within the next one to two months.
First-time Deferral Requests -A deferral will be granted upon written request with good cause shown for first-time jurors.
Multiple Requests for Deferral – Subsequent requests for deferral must be accompanied by a significantly higher level of documentation, such as a letter from an employer or copies of travel ticket or reservation confirmation before the request will be considered.
Qualifications & Exemption
To qualify as a juror a person shall:
Be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older, and a resident in the county for which the person is selected, and in the case of a district court in districts of the second and third class, be a resident of the district.
Be conversant with the English language.
Be physically and mentally able to carry out the functions of a juror. Temporary inability shall not be considered a disqualification.
Not have served as a petit or grand juror… in a court of record during the preceding 12 months.
Not be under sentence for a felony at the time of jury selection.
A person more than 70 years of age may claim exemption from jury service and shall be exempt upon making the request.
For the purposes of sections 1371 to 1376 a person has served as a juror if that person has been paid for jury service.
All requests for deferral (postponement) must be in letter form and received by the court no later than 10 days prior to the scheduled service date. Any requests for excusal from jury duty for medical reasons must be accompanied by a doctor’s letter certifying same.
The cooperation of every citizen is necessary if our system of justice is to function fairly and efficiently. Refusal or failure to appear for jury duty could result in fine, jail term or both, for contempt of court.
Questions about jury service can be directed to the 33rd District Court
MCLA 600.1307a