Frequently Asked Questions

 

Jury Management must abide by state law therefore we have limited authority for the acceptance of exemptions, disqualifications and the granting of deferrals. Jury service is a privilege as well as a responsibility.


What if I believe jury service is not applicable to me? Or that I do not qualify?
You are still required to fill out and submit the questionnaire. If we find you are ineligible, or grant you a deferral, or if you claim an exemption, we will still need the completed questionnaire including your signature.


Is there an exemption for senior citizens?
If you are 75 years or older and wish to not serve on a jury, please complete the questionnaire and be sure to answer question 22 with YES.


What if I cannot serve due to a medical reason?
If you have a medical reason for which you believe you cannot serve jury duty, you must complete a Medical Exemption Request form. This MUST include your signature as well as an explanation from your doctor.

The form is available here: Medical Exemption Request

What if I need special assistance in order to fulfill jury service?
If you require assistance, such as an auxiliary hearing device, either explain your condition through the online questionnaire, or complete your questionnaire by phone and provide explanation by email to juror@elkhartcounty.com.


What if the questionnaire is for someone who no longer lives at this address?
Please write “return to sender, not at this address” on the postcard and put it back in your mailbox as you would do for regular mail.


What if I no longer live in Elkhart County?
You will be taken off the list once you have submitted your questionnaire.


What if the person summoned is serving in the military?
A person in active duty is not eligible to serve on a jury. We will remove them from the list for this year once their jury questionnaire is submitted to us.

Are college students exempt from jury service?
You may request a different reporting date to the summer months, but you must still complete your questionnaire. You may do this by explaining that you are a student in the remarks at the bottom of your questionnaire, or by emailing us with your Juror ID at juror@elkhartcounty.com.


Can I reschedule my jury service?
We can reschedule your report date only once. You may do this through the juror portal after completing your questionnaire. There is a button on the juror profile page that says Request Deferral, it will be available after you submit your questionnaire.


What about my employment?
You may print a juror service verification letter from your account through the portal once the trial for which you were called is complete. If you need a paper verification, please remember to ask the bailiff and they will provide one upon you being dismissed from jury selection, or if you are selected at the completion of the trial.


Will I be paid for my service?
Potential jurors will be paid $30 for their first day of service plus milage. Seated jurors receive $80 per day. You no longer have to provide your mileage to us as our software does that calculation for us.

Your pay will be mailed to you in the form of a check and will reach you about a month after the completion of the trial.


Where is the courthouse located?
There are presently courts in two buildings in Elkhart County.

The Elkhart Courts Building is in downtown Elkhart at 315 S 2nd St, Elkhart, IN 46516.

The Goshen Courthouse is in downtown Goshen at 101 N Main St, Goshen, IN 46526.

Please report to the specific courthouse location as indicated on your summons.


What about parking?
Downtown Elkhart Courts Building: There is parking around the back of the courthouse. There is another parking lot to the west of the courthouse just across S 3rd St.
Downtown Goshen Courthouse: There are city parking lots east of the courthouse on either side of 5th street, south of Lincoln Ave. on 3rd street, and north of the Clinton by the fire station. The entrance to the building is on the east (Main Street) side of the courthouse.


I cannot drive and have no way to get to the courthouse.
The Interurban Trolley (Red Line) serves the Elkhart and Goshen areas and stops at both the Elkhart Courts Building and the Goshen Courthouse.


What should I wear?
You should wear comfortable, business casual clothes. No tank tops or shorts, please. You may wish to bring a sweater or jacket as parts of the building could be cold.


Can I bring my phone?
Downtown Elkhart building: Cell phones are allowed in the courthouse.
Goshen Courthouse: All cell phones are not allowed.


Will meals be provided?
Recesses will be taken for lunch and rest periods. Meals are only provided when the seated jurors are in deliberation. This is near the end of the trial, when jurors go to decide the outcome of the case.


How was I selected for jury service?
Our master lists are comprised of records approved by the Indiana Supreme Court, which include tax records and records from the BMV.


How will my information on my questionnaire be used?
Questionnaires are confidential. Attorneys in the case will be provided access to the questionnaires by the judge.


What about Courthouse security?
You will be required to pass through a metal detector prior to entering the building.


How long is my term of jury service?
One day or one trial. Meaning you will serve for only one day, or for one trial, where you will serve for a complete trial.

Your service is complete if you are released from jury selection, which typically lasts one day. If you are selected as a juror your service is completed when the trial is concluded. The judge will advise you upon entering the courtroom as to the estimate of the trial's length.

Does the county provide childcare?
No. Please do not bring children with you to jury service.

Still have questions? Please contact our office by email at juror@elkhartcounty.com.