Frequently Asked Questions

How Was I Selected for Jury Service?

Maryland’s jury selection law provides that jurors be 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 Washington County residents who are registered voters, licensed drivers or MVA Identification Card holders aged 18 and over.

Can I Submit the JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM Online?

Yes. See Part A of the form - What To Do, Step 2b – and visit https://mdcourts.gov/juryservice Follow the online instructions and wait for confirmation. You can, of course, complete the form by hand and return it to the Jury Office by U. S. Mail.

What if I Am Unable to Complete the JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM Myself?

A friend, relative or other person can complete the form on behalf of the prospective juror. The person completing the form for the prospective juror must sign the form where indicated.

Why Does My SUMMONS Give Me a “REPORTING NUMBER” and a “JUROR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER?”

The “REPORTING NUMBER” is the number that is important to you. It is your juror number within the small group, or “panel”, selected for your term of service. The “REPORTING NUMBER” is the number you will need to remember for scheduling and other purposes. The “JUROR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER”is for use only by the Jury Office. It is your number within the large pool of jurors pulled from the voter, drivers’ license and MVA ID lists. You can ignore the “JUROR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.”

Will I Receive a Separate Notification of Service?

The SUMMONS AND JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM you have received is the official notice of the date and time to report for your first day of service. The front of the form (Part A) is your SUMMONS. It contains your JUROR BADGE and REPORTING NUMBER. The SERVICE BEGINS ON date shown on the JUROR BADGE is the first date you are to report. You may receive additional information by mail before your service begins, but the SUMMONS is the official notice.

How Long Will I Have to Serve?

TRIAL JURORS serve a one-week term or one completed trial. The beginning and ending dates of the term are shown on the SUMMONS as “TERM OF SERVICE”.

GRAND JURORS serve a six-month term.

Will I be Expected to Attend Court Every Day During My Term of Service?

No.

TRIAL JURORS, on average, will attend one or two trials during their one-week term.

GRAND JURORS, on average, will be scheduled six days during their six-month term.

What if I Am Unable to Serve During the Term of Service for Which I Have Been Selected?

We recognize that jurors may have issues that make it difficult to serve during the period for which they have been summoned. TRIAL JURORS who complete the JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM online have a one-time option to postpone their service to another month of their choosing. Otherwise, you may call (301-790-7991) or submit a written request for postponement to the Jury Office at Clerk of Circuit Court, 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. A written request can be sent in with your JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM or separately, but not later than two weeks before the “SERVICE BEGINS ON” date indicated on your JUROR BADGE. We may not be able to reschedule you if your request is received later than that. Please include the “SERVICE BEGINS ON” date and REPORTING NUMBER from your JUROR BADGE on any correspondence. You will receive notification indicating whether or not your request has been granted. If your service is postponed to a later term you will receive, about four weeks before that term begins, another SUMMONS AND JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM to complete.

What if I Have a Disability or Special Needs?

Persons with disabilities should contact the Jury Office, 301-790-7991, at least two weeks prior to your SERVICE BEGINS ON date, shown on your JUROR BADGE. We will make every effort to accommodate your disability so that you can exercise your right to serve as a juror.

What if I Have a Medical or Family Emergency on a Day I Am Scheduled to Report?

The Jury Office is open for your call at 8:00 am, please call 301-791-7991 ext. 225 as soon as is practicable. Your service may be delayed to a later term.

Will I be Paid for my Service?

You will be paid the sum of $15 per day for attendance, plus mileage at $.30 per mile from your home to the Courthouse and back. Payment for the total days served during the term is made by check, mailed to your home, within two weeks of the end of your term of service. If you choose, you may consider participating in the “Generous Juror” program.

How Should I Dress?

You may dress casually, but conservatively. Shorts and cutoff jeans, hats (except for religious reasons), tank tops, halter tops, undershirts and flip-flops are considered inappropriate. Jurors should also avoid appearing in uniforms or clothing displaying writing, such as logos, slogans, etc.

Will I Have to go Through Security to Enter the Courthouse?

Yes. Everyone entering the Courthouse must go through the Security Checkpoint at the entrance. You will walk through a metal detector, and any packages you are carrying will be scanned through an X-Ray machine. No weapons of any kind, including small pocketknives, are permitted on the premises of the Courthouse. Cell phones and other electronic devices are permitted, but their use is limited or prohibited in designated areas of the courthouse. Jurors should not use cell phones or other electronic communication devices while in the courtroom or jury deliberation room, as this may result in a mistrial.

Where do I Report?

The Circuit Court is located in the historic Courthouse on the corner of West Washington Street and Summit Avenue/Jonathan Street in Hagerstown. The entrance is located at 24 Summit Avenue.

TRIAL JURORS will report directly to COURTROOM #1, which is located on the third floor.

GRAND JURORS, on their first day of service will report directly to Courtroom #1 on the third floor. The reporting location for all successive sessions will be indicated on the summons that will be mailed.

Where Should I Park?

Parking is provided for all Jurors. Information about the specific location will be indicated on the Recorded Jury Line (301-739-3440) and the Jury Announcement website https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/jurystatus/clerks/washington/jurystatus/juryannouncements.pdf

How Will I Know Which Days, After the First Day, to Report?

TRIAL JURORS should call the Recorded Jury Line (301-739-3440) after 4:30 pm on the Friday prior to their term of service to get reporting information for Monday morning. Each juror, unless otherwise instructed, should continue to call after 4:30 pm each evening to see if they are required to report on the next day.

GRAND JURORS will receive a summons by US Mail each time that they are scheduled to report

Can Jury Duty Place My Job in Jeopardy?

An employer may not deprive an employee of his or her employment 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 TRIAL or GRAND JUROR.

What is the Inclement Weather Policy?

In the event of inclement weather on a morning you are to report for service, please call the recorded schedule at 301-739-3440, after 7:00 a.m., to find out if your service has been cancelled. If the information has not changed, report as scheduled.

Is Child Care Available?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide child care. Children, therefore, cannot be brought to court with you.

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