| The right to a trial by jury is the privilege of every
person in the United States, whether citizen or not. This cherished
right is guaranteed by both the United States and California Constitutions.
You have been summoned to render an important service as a juror.
You have enjoyed the privileges of citizenship and the protection
of your liberties and property through our system of self-government.
Now, for a short time, you will serve as a juror, an officer of the
Court, along with the lawyers and the judges. As a juror, you
are an important member of the judicial system of Amador County and
California.
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How Jurors Are Summoned
The selection and management of jurors is governed by the California
Code of Civil Procedure. Jurors' names are selected at random
from lists of registered voters and persons who have valid California
drivers licenses or identification cards issued by the Department
of Motor Vehicles. The two lists are combined to create
one Master Jury List. The summonses are mailed approximately
two weeks prior to the service date. The summons contains
information and instructions on how to have jury service postponed;
how to request to be excused for service; or how to notify the Court
of disqualification from jury service
If you have been summoned for jury duty, READ the summons
carefully and follow its instructions as it contains important information
along with the name and address of the Court and the date of your
jury service.
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Term of Service
The Amador Superior Court operates on a One Trial/One Day system.
Jurors are instructed to call a recorded message the day prior to
the summons date, after 5pm, for reporting instructions. Jurors
may also check the Jury Duty Instructions
on this website.
Once instructed to report to the courthouse, a juror may or may
not be selected to serve as a juror in a trial court. The
Jury Commissioner is required to have a sufficient number of jurors
for all anticipated trials. The jury staff tries to carefully
estimate the number of jurors needed but there are many variables
outside their control. For example, a defendant may plea to
a different charge or a case may settle at the last moment.
If a prospective juror is selected to serve on a trial as a sworn
juror, the term of service will be the length of that trial.
Trials vary in length, but generally last one to three days.
If a prospective juror is not selected to serve on a trial by the
end of the first day at the courthouse, and the judge has not ordered
the juror to return for another day of jury selection, jury service
is complete. Approximately 80% of our prospective jurors complete
their service in one day.
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Pay Policy
State law does not currently require employers to continue paying
the salary of employees while they are serving as jurors.
However, many employers including state, federal, and local government
agencies, have a policy which compensates employees for at least
part, if not all the time spent for jury service. Before coming
to court, the juror should talk with his or her employer.
Prospective jurors are paid the amount mandated by the State Legislature,
$15.00 per day for the second and subsequent day of service.
"Service" is defined as physically reporting to the courthouse.
The mileage reimbursement is 34 cents per mile one-way from your
home to the courthouse, beginning with the second day.
Payroll checks are not forwarded by the Post Office. Therefore,
it is important that the jury office has the correct name and address
of each of its serving jurors in order to make sure the jurors receive
their checks timely.
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What If A Juror Does Not Report as Instructed
Every resident of Amador County who is qualified to serve and who
does not have a legal hardship or excuse must appear for jury service
when summoned. Willful failure to appear is contempt of Court.
Contempt of Court is punished by fine of up to $1,000.00 and/or
five days in the county jail.
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Employer Responsibilities
Employers cannot discriminate against employees serving on jury
duty. Employers must allow employees time off to serve on
a jury. The California
Labor Code, section 230, prohibits any employer from firing
or harassing an employee who is summoned to Court for jury service
as long as reasonable notice is given. The California
Education Code, Sections 44037 and 87036
protect teachers and students as well. Employers can also
be prosecuted criminally and face a misdemeanor charge if found
guilty.
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Special Assistance Requests
If you will need special arrangements when you report (e.g., assistive
listening device, accessibility, sign language interpreter, etc.),
please call 209-257-2642 at least five days prior to your service
date. If you are requesting a sign language interpreter, it
is possible that your service date will be rescheduled to the next
available date for an interpreter. You will be notified of
any changes.
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Office Hours/Phone Numbers/Fax Number
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding Court holidays
Phone/Fax Numbers
209-257-2641 24-Hour Recorded Group Reporting Information
209-257-2641 24-Hour Recorded Information
209-257-2642 Customer Service Staff
209-257-2676 FAX
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Comments/Questions
We encourage your input. You may address your remarks to
the Jury Commissioner, 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA 95642.
You may also email us at Jury@amadorcourt.org
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