Trial by jury has been a cornerstone of freedom and justice for centuries. The Oregon and United States Constitutions protect he right of citizens to a jury trials as vital to the administration of justice. Your public service as a juror is one of the most important functions of our democracy. The proper and efficient functioning of the justice system requires jurors to exercise intelligence, integrity, sound judgment and complete imprtiality.
Why did I receive a summons for jury service?
- Names are drawn at random from a list of Troutdale registered voters. You received a summons because you were one of the 30 people selected.
What happens if someone ignores a summons for jury service?
- If a person ignores the summons, the court may hold the person in contempt. If you receive a summons but cannot comply with the summons, you must follow the procedures to be "excused" by the court.
How do people get excused from jury service?
- Only a judge or the court clerk may excuse a person from jury service. If you are over the age of 70 your request will be automatically granted. If you are under 70, an excuse will be granted only when you show "undue hardship" or "extreme inconvenience." The judge or court clerk will "carefully consider and weigh both the public need for juries which are representative of the full community and the individual circumstances offered as a justification for excuse from jury service." Active members of the military are exempt from jury service.
May jury service be postponed?
- The City of Troutdale does not have the ability to postpone jury service.
Can I lose my job for reporting to jury service?
- NO. Under Oregon law, your employer may not discharge you because of jury service. An employer also may not threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce an employee because of jury service. The court may take action against an employer who violates these laws.
Will my employer pay me while I am on jury service?
- Your employer's personnel policies, or the specific employment agreement between you and your employer, will determine whether any compensation is payable to you during jury service. There is no statutory requirement that an employer pay salary or wages during an employee's jury service.
Do jurors get paid for jury service?
- Yes. Juror fees are fixed by City Council. In Troutdale Municipal Court, a juror is entitled to $4 per day. A juror is entitled to receive payment for a full day when called to court, even if that person does not actually participate in trial or excused immediately after answering the roll call. If your employer pays your wages or salary for your days of jury service, you must waive the daily juror fees unless otherwise provided in your employment agreement.
Who is eligible for jury service?
- Generally, any person who is (1) at least 18 years old (2) a U.S. citizen and (3) resides in the City of Troutdale when summoned. Oregon law provides that "the opportunity for jury service shall not be denied or limited on the basis of race, national origin, gender, age, religious belief, income, occupation or any other favor that discriminates against a cognizable group in this state."
- If you need special assistance with a speech or hearing disability, you should submit a written request to the court. Any services neccessary will be provided at the court's expense.
Who is not eligible for jury service?
- Anyone who has served on jury duty in a state or federal court in Oregon within the last 24 months is not eligible.
- Anyone convicted of a felony and is in state prison or has received a suspended sentence conditioned on service of county jail time or has had his or her probation revoked and must serve any portion of a suspended sentence.
- In criminal cases, no person may serve on a jury who has been convicted of a felony or served a felony sentence within the prior 15 years.
- No person convicted of a misdemeanor involving violence or dishonesty or having served a sentence for such a crime within the previous five years is elgible to serve as a juror on a criminal case.