Juror Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How was I selected for Jury Service?

Maryland’s jury selection law provides that jurors are selected at random from a fair cross section of citizens residing in the County where the Court convenes. This cross section is drawn from a consolidated list of Queen Anne’s County residents who are registered voters or licensed drivers or identification card holders aged 18 and over.

What do I do with the form I received in the mail?

Jury management in Queen Anne’s County is a one-step process. That means the SUMMONS and JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM is the only notice (correspondence) you will receive. It is very important that you read the form in its entirety on both sides and follow all instructions. The front of the form (Part A) is your SUMMONS. It contains your Juror Badge and Reporting Number along with critical information about your service period, including instructions for how you will determine your daily reporting status. The back of the form (Part B) is your QUALIFICATION FORM. You, or someone on your behalf, must complete this entire section (23 questions) and sign where indicated. This portion of the form must be detached and returned (mail is acceptable) to the Jury Office within 10 days after it is received by you. If you need assistance completing the form or have questions, please contact the Jury Commissioner at the address and/or phone number listed on the front (Part A) of the Summons and Qualification form. The qualification form may also be submitted online per instructions on the form.

Can I submit the juror qualification form online?

Yes. See Part A - What To Do, Step 2b. Visit http://mdcourts.gov/juryservice/jurorqualificationform.html. Follow the online instructions and wait for confirmation.

Will I receive a separate notification of service and reporting dates?

If you are a Trial Juror the SUMMONS and JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM is the only notice (correspondence) you will receive. The front of the form (Part A) is your SUMMONS. It contains your Juror Badge and Reporting Number along with critical information about your service period, including instructions for how you will determine your daily reporting status. If you are a Grand Juror, you will receive SUBSEQUENT notices after your first date of appearance. It is very important that you read Part A of the form relating to REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS in its entirety and follow all directions. If you have questions, please contact the Jury Commissioner at the address and/or phone number as listed.

How long do I have to serve?

TRIAL jurors serve a one-month term, and GRAND jurors serve a six-month term.

What if I am unable to serve during the service period for which I have been selected?

TRIAL Jurors who complete a Qualification Form (Part B) online at http://mdcourts.gov/jury have a one-time option to postpone their service to another month of their selection. Otherwise, all requests for excuse MUST be submitted to the Jury Commissioner, at the address indicated in Part A of the form, in writing either with your juror qualification form or no later than two weeks prior to the first date of service indicated on your JUROR BADGE. Please include your service month and juror identification number on any correspondence. You will receive notification as to whether or not your request has been granted.

Do I get paid for service?

During your period of service, you will be paid the sum of $30 per day for attendance. If you are on a trial that extends past five days, you will be paid the sum of $50 per day beginning with the sixth day. If you choose not to receive payment for jury service, you may consider participating in the “Generous Juror” program.

Is there a dress code?

Proper attire is required–NO UNIFORMS, SHORTS, CUT-OFF JEANS, T-SHIRTS WITH LOGOS, GYM CLOTHES, HATS (EXCEPT FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES) OR TANK AND HALTER TOPS. A violation of this dress code that causes disruption to the court proceedings may result in an extension of your service term or other sanction.

What can I bring to the Court House?

NO weapons of ANY kind are permitted on the premises of the Court House. Possession and use of cell phones and other electronic devices are limited or prohibited in designated areas of the court facility. NO food or drink is permitted. However, if you have a medical condition requiring the intake of food and/or drink on a regular basis, please submit a written request for this accommodation to the jury commissioner at least two weeks prior to your first scheduled date of service.

What if I have a disability or special needs?

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities should be requested by completing and submitting a Request for Accommodation for Person with Disability form to the jury office at least two weeks prior to your first scheduled date of service. The Court House is equipped with an elevator, and there are two handicapped parking spaces available near the Court House. Please contact the Jury Commissioner’s office with any questions.

How do I get to the Court House - where do I park?

The Circuit Court is located at 200 North Commerce Street, Centreville, Maryland. The Circuit Court is not responsible for parking tickets. Limited free parking is available in the lots next to the Post Office on Water Street and the upper level of the District Court parking garage. There are handicapped parking spaces near the court house. For additional parking information, see Directions/Parking or call the jury commissioner at 410-758-0216, ext. 5149.

Where do I report?

Please use the main front door entrance to the Court House and let the security personnel know that you are reporting for jury service. The officer will instruct you where to report.

Will I have to report for service each day of the service period?

No. If you are a TRIAL JUROR, you will determine your reporting status by calling the jury information line (410-758-1783) or visiting the Jury Announcement website after 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday during your month of service beginning the evening prior to the first date of service on your JUROR BADGE . If you are GRAND JUROR, you will determine your reporting status by calling the jury information line (410-758-1783) or visiting the Jury Announcement website after 5:00 p.m. the evening prior to the first date of service listed on your JUROR BADGE. GRAND JURORS will receive separate notices and instructions for additional meetings.

Do I have to call (or visit the Jury Announcement website) every evening during my service period?

TRIAL jurors MUST call or visit the Jury Announcement website each and every evening (Monday-Friday) during their service period beginning with the date prior to the first date of service. However, the Jury Announcement website also includes the dates for which jury trials are scheduled. It is recommended that if you have access to the internet, you visit the Jury Announcement website to determine your reporting status..

GRAND jurors will call or visit the Jury Announcement website the evening prior to the first date of service. Notices and instructions for additional meetings will be mailed separately to GRAND jurors.

Can I serve on more than one trial?

Yes, it is possible that TRIAL jurors may serve on multiple trials as the term (service period) is for one month.

How often does the Grand Jury meet?

The term (service period) for GRAND jurors is six (6) months. While you will be subject to call during the entire six-month period, your service will probably not exceed one day per month.

Can jury duty place my job in jeopardy?

An employer may not deprive an employee of his/her employment solely because of job time lost by the employee as a result of responding to a jury summons or as result of attending court for service or prospective service as a petit (trial) or GRAND juror.

What if I have a medical or family emergency the day of service?

In order to be excused from reporting for service, appropriate documentation of the emergency will need to be provided within a time frame to be determined by the jury commissioner. Please call the jury commissioner at 410-758-0216, ext. 5149 (leave a message if there is no one available to answer your call). The jury commissioner will instruct you as to the type of documentation that will be required.

What is the inclement weather policy?

In the event of inclement weather please call the information line 410-758-1783 or visit http://mdcourts.gov/infoline.html the morning you are scheduled to appear for weather-related updates. If the information has not changed, report as scheduled.

Is child care available?

There are no provisions for child care. Children are NOT to be brought to Court with you. Instances where prospective jurors appear with children will result in arrangements being made for their care by the Department of Social Services or other foster-care services, at the juror’s personal expense.

What if I have a vacation, medical appointment, etc., during my service month?

All requests for excuse MUST be submitted in writing either with your juror qualification form or no later than two weeks prior to the first date of service indicated on your JUROR BADGE. Only written requests directed to the Jury Commissioner at 200 North Commerce Street, Centreville, Maryland, 21617, can be considered. E-mail requests cannot be accepted at this time. Please include your service term and reporting number on any correspondence. You will receive notification by first-class U. S. mail as to whether or not your request has been granted. Please contact the jury commissioner at 410-758-0216, ext. 5149 if you have not received a confirmation of the receipt of your request.

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Circuit Court

Queen Anne's County, MD