Grand Jurors | Trial Jurors | Juror Qualification Form | Reporting Instructions | FAQs
Circuit Court for Harford County
Office of the Jury Commissioner
Catherine Valdivia, Jury Commissioner
Telephone: 410-638-3251 8:30 am – 4:30 pm M-F
Reporting Instructions Recording Line: 410-838-3172
Fax No.: 410-638-4184
Email: [email protected]
Notice: SCAM ALERT- We don't ask for your Social Security Number:
No Judiciary employee or Law Enforcement agent acting on behalf of the Jury Commissioner will ever ask you for your Social Security Number. No one from the Jury Commissioner’s Office will call (or email) you and ask for your Social Security Number or financial information (such as bank information or a credit card number).
We don't call about failing to appear for jury duty and ask for money, etc.:
The Jury Commissioner's Office (or Law Enforcement agent acting on behalf of the Jury Commissioner/Court) will not call you to inform you that you failed to appear for jury duty and request money (or credit card information or pre-paid debit cards, etc.) as a payment for a fine or bond.
Protect yourself: Do NOT give the requested information. Instead, call the Jury Commissioner's Office at 410-638-3251 and your local law enforcement agency (Harford County Sheriff's Office) at 410-838-6600 immediately.
Never give personal information when answering an unsolicited phone call or email message.
Jury service is one of the most important civic obligations that citizens have.
Trial Jurors
Harford County Trial Jurors are summoned for one-day/multiple days if actually seated as a trial juror. The average length of trial in Harford County is 2 to 3 days; however, some trials may last longer. We ask that you plan to be available all day, which could be until 5:00 p.m. or later. If selected, you are to report each day for the duration of the trial.
Trial (petit) juries are selected for both criminal and civil cases. A criminal trial jury contains 12 jurors, who are responsible for determining if the accused (defendant) is guilty or not guilty of a crime. A civil jury trial contains 6 jurors, who listen to a case generally involving a dispute between 2 or more parties. Both criminal and civil jury trials have 1 or more alternate jurors, who are selected to replace a juror that has been excused or dismissed during the course of the trial.
Grand Jurors
Harford County Grand Jurors are summoned for one-day/one grand jury term. Seated grand jurors convene every other Tuesday for the four month term. The tentative meeting dates are distributed to potential grand jurors at orientation.
A grand jury consists of 23 jurors who are called together to receive and hear evidence to determine whether probable cause exists to charge someone with a crime, and to determine if there is enough evidence to issue an indictment.
Juror Qualification Form
Complete Your Juror Qualification Form
If you have received a Summons and Juror Qualification Form, you may use our online system to confirm the date you are to report for jury service and to fill out your juror form. Please complete the juror qualification form online by selecting the above box.
You may also reschedule your jury service date online (ONE TIME ONLY). Please keep in mind that if you are selected for a trial, you are to remain for the duration.
After completing your form online, you may be required to send the Jury Commissioner’s Office required verification for an excusal or postponement. The Document Code Legend Provided on the bottom portion of your summons details this requirement.
Requests for excusals or postponements that require verification, you will need to submit the required documentation (BEFORE your scheduled report date) by:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 410-638-4184
Mail: Jury Commissioner’s Office
Harford County Circuit Court
20 W. Courtland Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
You may also return your original completed juror qualification form by mail within ten days of receipt to the Office of the Jury Commissioner at the address above. Be sure to attach any required documentation.
Save the lower portion of the form, which is perforated. You will use the right corner as your parking permit. You will need to bring your juror badge with you when reporting for jury duty.
To avoid unnecessary appearances please call the recorded telephone message at 410-838-3172 after 5:00 P.M. on the evening before your report date for final reporting instructions. Reporting instructions will also be available on the web.
PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU LISTEN TO/READ THE ENTIRE MESSAGE.
Juror Resources
- Juror Reporting Instructions
- Information for where to report, where to park and the inclement weather policy for jurors.
- Request for Accommodation for Person with Disability (ADA) Form
- Driving Directions to the Circuit Court for Harford County
- Forms and Publications (Downloadable forms for medical, military and other excusals)
- Qualification Form
- Jury Selection Plan
- Never give personal information when answering an unsolicited phone call or email message.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Juror Forms
- Caregiver Excusal Form (DOC) Caregiver Excusal Form (PDF)
- Medical Excusal Form (DOC) Medical Excusal Form (PDF)
- Military Exemption Form (PDF)
- Parking Permit
- Request for Accommodation for Person with Disability (ADA) Form
- Printable Juror Qualification Form (JQF)
Juror Reporting Instructions
PLEASE CALL 410-838-3172
AFTER 5:00 PM, the evening before your report date or
visit our online Juror Reporting Instructions page
FOR FINAL REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS*
Jury Orientation
TO EXPEDITE THE CHECK IN PROCESS, PLEASE HAVE YOUR JUROR BADGE READY WHEN YOU REPORT. Your service is for one day OR multiple days if actually seated on a trial jury OR one grand jury term. You must plan to be available all day, which could be until 5:00 p.m. or later. You must also plan to be available for the duration of a trial.
Juror Parking
Juror designated parking is free of charge, on the roof top level only of the Town of Bel Air Parking Garage located on the corner of Courtland Street & Hickory Avenue. Be sure to place your parking permit or a note on your dashboard (visible through the windshield).
Note: If the roof top level is closed, you may park on levels 4 and 5, but be sure to still have your permit displayed.
If your vehicle exceeds the height of the garage (6 feet, 11 inches) or if you require handicap parking, please contact our office, by email or phone, preferable 1 or 2 business days before your report date, for parking instructions.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of extreme weather, listen for Harford County Circuit Court closings. If Harford County Circuit Court is closed due to weather, you do not need to report. Jurors are cancelled and your jury service obligation has been satisfied for this calendar year. If you have not yet returned your juror qualification form, you will need to contact the Jury Commissioner's Office by phone or email for further instructions.
If Harford County Circuit Court has a delayed opening, the same applies for jury duty. For example: if The Circuit Court open 2 hours late, you are to report for jury duty 2 hours late (10:00 A.M. instead of 8:00 A.M.).
*If you are already seated as a grand juror OR as a juror on a continuing trial/case, you must report as instructed by the State's Attorney's Office (grand jury) or as instructed by the Judge presiding over the case (trial juror). You do not follow the same inclement weather policy.
Where to Report
Unless otherwise instructed, please report promptly by 8:00 A.M. to:
Jury Assembly Room
Level B
Harford County Circuit Court
20 W. Courtland Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
What to Wear
There is no formal dress code; however you are in a courthouse and you should dress appropriately for the seriousness of the proceedings. Proper attire is required (NO uniforms or tank/tube tops, etc. are permitted.) Do NOT bring weapons, such as guns, knives, mace, sharp objects, etc. NO weapons of ANY kind are permitted on the premises of the Courthouse. These prohibited items will NOT be held for you. You will be required to return them to your vehicle.
You can bring cell phones and other electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, into the courthouse. For more information, please review the basic guidelines for jurors while At the Courthouse and also about the use of electronic devices and Social Media Restrictions.
Contact Us
Please review your summons and visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website.
If you require further assistance, please call 410-638-3251 during normal business hours or email [email protected].
Please note that postponement and/or excusal requests are ONLY considered if you have completed your juror qualification form AND your request is made in writing via email, fax or mail. Please be sure to submit any required verification (i.e. non-resident, non-citizen, doctor's excusals, etc.) with your form BEFORE your report date.
Postponements and excusals are NOT considered over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How was I selected for jury service?
- What do I do with the form I received in the mail?
- What if the individual who received the summons is deceased?
- Can I submit the juror qualification form online?
- Will jury service place my job or pay in jeopardy?
- I no longer live in Harford County; do I still have to serve?
- I am not a citizen of the United States; do I have to serve?
- I am over 70 years old; do I still have to serve?
- How long is my jury term?
- What if I have a vacation, medical appointment etc. on my assigned date?
- Can I be excused for a medical condition?
- Do I get paid for jury service?
- Is there a dress code?
- What can I bring to the Courthouse?
- What if I have a disability of special needs?
- Can I be excused because of my job?
- Is there childcare available?
- What is the inclement weather policy?
- How do I get to the courthouse/where do I park?
- What if I am active duty military, etc.?
- What if I am a full time student?
- What if I have charges pending?
- What if I have been convicted of a crime?
- What if I received a summons, but I recently served jury duty?
- What if I am a nursing mother?
- What happens if I don’t report for jury duty or I fail to respond to Court’s questionnaire?
- What happens when I call for final reporting instructions?
- What if I still have questions?
- How was I selected for Jury Service?
You were selected at random from a fair cross section of citizens residing in Harford County. Under Maryland’s jury selection law, names are chosen from a consolidated list of Harford County residents who are registered to vote, licensed drivers, or identification card holder’s aged 18 and over.
-FAQ Top - - What do I do with the form I received in the mail?
Please read the form in its entirety. Complete the top half of the form Part B, and please return that portion to the Jury Commissioner’s Office along with any required documentation to be excused or rescheduled within ten days.
-FAQ Top - - What if the individual who received the summons is deceased?
Please note on the summons that the juror has passed away and return it to the Jury Commissioner’s Office. You do not need to provide any other documentation or death certificate.
- FAQ Top - - Can I submit the juror qualification form online?
Yes you can. Click on the Complete Juror Qualification Form box above or visit http://mdcourts.gov/juryservice. Select Harford County & follow the online instructions and wait for confirmation. Note: You will need to use your juror identification/badge number to complete the form online.
- FAQ Top - - Will jury service place my job or pay in jeopardy?
Jury duty is a civic obligation. As stated by Maryland law, 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 a result of attending court for service or prospective service as a trial or grand juror. Employers are not obligated to pay employees their wage/salary while serving jury duty. Payment for employees attending jury duty is at the discretion of the employer. As a juror, you are paid $30.00 cash as expense money from the Court for each day of service. You will receive a work certificate as jury attendance verification for your employer.
-FAQ Top - - I no longer live in Harford County; do I still have to serve?
If you no longer live in Harford County, please see Question 12/Code B on the qualification form. Please complete your juror qualification form AND provide the documentation requested (copy of your driver’s license/change of address card or MVA issued state ID as verification of your new address), and you will not have to report. In lieu of the aforementioned, you may submit a copy of a bill, statement, lease agreement, USPS change of address document or paystub that shows your name and address outside of Harford County.
-FAQ Top - - I am not a citizen of the United States, do I have to serve?
If you are not a citizen please see Question 11/Code A on the qualification form. Please complete your juror qualification form and provide the documentation requested (copy of your permanent resident card; green card; student visa; or work visa as verification) and you will not have to report.
-FAQ Top - - I am over 70 years old; do I still have to serve?
For Harford County residents that are over the age of 70, jury service is optional. If you are over 70 and you do not wish to serve, please check YES to Question 20a (temporary excusal for age) and 20b (permanent excusal for age) on the juror qualification form. If you wish to serve, check NO to Question 20a and 20b, and follow the summons/call in instructions.
-FAQ Top - - How long is my jury term?
The term for trial/petit jurors is one day OR multiple days if seated as a trial juror. Plan to be available all day. The average length of trial is 2 to 3 days; however some trials may last longer. You will be informed of the expected length of trial in the courtroom during the selection process. The term of service for grand jurors is 4 months; however the grand jury reports generally 2 days per month (every other Tuesday).
-FAQ Top - - What if I have a vacation, medical appointment etc. on my assigned date?
You may complete your juror qualification form online and reschedule your jury service date via web (ONE TIME ONLY) to a more convenient date. Click on the Complete Juror Qualification Form box above or visit http://mdcourts.gov/juryservice for a one time rescheduling of your service.- If you are unable to access the online application, you must return your completed juror qualification form along with your written request for a postponement. Postponement requests must be in writing (by email, fax or mail) and will not be considered over the phone. Requests will only be considered if your completed juror qualification form has been submitted and received. The Jury Commissioner’s Office will send you a letter notifying you if your request was granted or denied. If your request was granted, the letter will also contain your new report date.
- If you already returned your form, please submit your postponement request in writing. If you require an emergency, last minute postponement, you still need to submit your request in writing. Last minute requests will only be granted for extreme, unforeseen circumstances.
- Note: Requests to be rescheduled for vacations, business trips, medical appointments etc. are granted liberally. Requests to be excused are granted rarely and only for extreme hardship.
- Can I be excused because of a medical condition?
In order to be excused for a medical reason or disability, you must return your completed juror qualification form and provide a written, signed statement from your health care provider explaining that you are not able to satisfactorily perform jury duty and indicating the excusal length as temporary or permanent (Question 18/Code G). The note can be written on a prescription pad or letterhead, and it should contain your name, date of birth, and juror identification/badge number or report date. Your doctor may complete the Medical Excusal Form available in the Downloads section of our website and submit the excusal directly to the Jury Commissioner’s Office by email, fax or mail.
-FAQ Top - - Do I get paid for jury service?
As a juror, you are paid $30 cash as expense money for each day of service, which you have the option to donate to the Generous Juror Program. The Generous Juror Program benefits the foster children of Harford County.
-FAQ Top - - Is there a dress code?
Out of respect for the Court, please dress appropriately. Proper courtroom attire is required. Business or business casual attire is acceptable. No uniforms, shorts, cut-off jeans, t-shirts with logos, gym clothes, tank tops, halter tops or hats (except for religious or health reasons) are allowed.
-FAQ Top - - What can I bring to the Courthouse?
Everyone entering the Courthouse will pass through a metal detector. Food and drink may be brought into the Jury Assembly Room. No refrigerator is available. No weapons (scissors, mace, knives, tools etc.) of any kind will be permitted in the building. Electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptop computers are allowed, but must be turned OFF while in the Courtrooms. The court provides some wireless service, but connectivity is not guaranteed. Possession and use of electronic devices may be limited or prohibited in designated areas of the Courthouse.
-FAQ Top - - What if I have a disability or special needs?
Reasonable accommodations for a person with disabilities can be requested online or on the juror qualification form. Please complete your juror form and include a written statement specifying the required accommodation (Question 17/Code F). In some instances, you may be required to submit the Request for an Accommodation for a Person with Disability (ADA) Form available in the Downloads section of our website. In some instances, the Court requires at least 4 weeks to set up the needed accommodation (e.g. sign language interpreter, etc.). Handicapped parking spaces are available; however you must contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office for parking instructions.
-FAQ Top - - Can I be excused because of my job?
If you have a job related conflict during your assigned jury service, you may ask to be rescheduled. Please be advised that excusal requests are granted rarely and only for undue hardship or extreme circumstances as determined by the Court. Maryland law does not allow exemption based on occupation. There are many people with work and financial hardship situations; therefore not everyone can be granted an excusal. You may submit a written request to be considered a work or financial hardship/excuse if possible with your completed form. If your request can be granted, you will receive a call/email on the afternoon before your scheduled report date. If you do not receive a call/email notifying you of an excusal, you will be required to follow the call in procedure for final reporting instructions.
-FAQ Top - - Is there childcare available?
There are no provisions for childcare. Please do not bring children to Court with you.
-FAQ Top - - What is the inclement weather policy?
Please see Inclement Weather Policy.
-FAQ Top - - How do I get to the courthouse/where do I park?
For driving directions, see http://mdcourts.gov/circuit/Harford/directions.html. For parking information, see Juror Parking.
-FAQ Top - - What if I am Active Duty Military, etc.?
To request exemption, complete and return your juror qualification form with a copy of your military orders, a copy of a letter from your commanding officer or a completed Certification of Military Exemption Form. The form can be found at: http://mdcourts.gov/juryservice. Questions 21 – 23 (Codes I – J) on your form address exemption issues.
- FAQ Top - - What if I am a full-time student?
Complete and return your juror qualification form with a current copy of your tuition bill or a copy of your class schedule, which contains your name and the name of your school. You will receive a postcard or letter to confirm or deny the excusal request.
-FAQ Top - - What if I have charges pending?
Complete and return your juror qualification form with a copy of the charges or a letter of explanation listing the charges, dates, and the jurisdiction where the charges are pending. We do not have access to the National Crime Information Center/database. You are to submit the required documentation. Question 15 (Code D) on your juror qualification form addresses this issue.
-FAQ Top - - What if I have been convicted of a crime?
Complete and return your juror qualification form with a copy of the charges or a letter of explanation listing the charges, the sentence, the date and the jurisdiction where you were convicted. We do not have access to the National Crime Information Center/database. You are to submit the required documentation. Please note if the conviction was under a different name such as an alias or maiden name. If you received probation before judgment, a sentence of less than 1 year (including suspended time), or a pardon: you are still eligible for jury duty. Question 16 (Code E) on your juror qualification form addresses this issue.
-FAQ Top - - What if I received a summons, but I recently served jury duty?
Complete and return your juror qualification form. If you have served jury duty within the last 3 years, you have the option to request to be excused for recent service. Recent service means you reported & received payment/donated payment within the last 3 years. If you served in Harford County, please note on your form the dates and/or year served. Please indicate if your service was under another name, for example: initials vs full name, maiden name vs married name. If you served in another jurisdiction (federal jury duty) or another county/state, you must provide your own verification. Question 19 (Code H) on your juror qualification form addresses this issue.
-FAQ Top - - What if I am a nursing mother?
Please contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office by email or phone, at your earliest convenience, for further instructions. Any questions or requests regarding this matter must be addressed BEFORE your report date.
-FAQ Top - - What happens if I don’t report for jury duty or I fail to respond to the Court’s questionnaire?
Failure to appear for jury duty or to return your completed juror qualification form is a serious matter and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. You will be issued an order to report and “show cause” as to why you did not respond to the summons/report for jury duty.
-FAQ Top - - What happens when I call the recording for final reporting instructions?
Please listen for instructions for your reporting number, which can be found on your juror badge. You do not report for jury duty unless the recording instructs you to do so.
-FAQ Top - - What if I still have questions?
Contact the Jury Commissioner’s Office by phone or email between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. If you call the Jury Office during the morning orientation (between 8:00 AM to approximately 9:00 AM) you will NOT be able to speak to a member of the office. You can wait until after 9:00 AM to call or send an email. Please be patient. Calls/messages are returned in the order they are received. Due to the high volume of calls, you may receive a quicker response by emailing questions to Harford[email protected].
-FAQ Top -