Frequently Asked Questions – Jury Service

The Juror Questionnaire you received must be completed within 10 days of receipt. Please DO NOT call

the Court at this time with a request to be excused from jury service. The questionnaire you received is

NOT a Summons for Jury Duty. After the Court reviews your questionnaire response, you may be

selected for jury service during the time period stated on your questionnaire. If selected to serve, the Court

will mail you a Summons approximately 14 days before the scheduled trial date. Please read this in its

entirety to see if it answers your questions before calling the Court. Our call volume is extremely high

maintained (or collected) by: (1) the Indiana State Bureau of Motor Vehicles, consisting of Indiana

residents with state issued identification cards, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registration records,

excluding individuals under the age of eighteen (18) and non-U.S. citizens; and (2) the Indiana

Department of Revenue, which includes all Indiana state resident taxpayers for the Southern District

of Indiana.

 Is there an age requirement or age limit for prospective jurors?

You must be at least 18 years of age to serve. If you are over 75 years of age you may, upon request,

be excused from serving. If you are over 75 years of age and DO NOT wish to serve, please fill out

The Court understands if you are out of town or have other circumstances that may slow your

response time. We ask that you complete the questionnaire as soon as possible. Alternatively,

someone may complete it on your behalf as long as they submit their name, relationship and the

reason for doing so.

 I heard that if I have a close friend or relative who is employed by a law enforcement agency,

I can be excused and not have to appear. Is that true?

Superior Court has a wide range of civil and criminal cases, so your relationship to someone in the

condition by submitting a current Physician’s Statement stating that you are unable to serve. You may

also briefly explain your medical disability by filling out question #13 of your jury form.

Please note that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunity and obligation to serve as

jurors as individuals without disabilities. If you have a physical disability that would affect, but not

prevent you from serving as a juror, and you are willing to serve if reasonable accommodations can be

provided, please include those special accommodations on a separate statement or contact the Court to

discuss your needs.

 What if I am not available to serve?

If you are not available to serve during a majority of your term because of a severe hardship or a

serious problem, please fill out the Deferral Request section on the back of your questionnaire or

submit a hardship request for excuse on a separate sheet of paper and return it with your questionnaire.

 I am a college student. Do I have to serve?

If you are a college student, in or out of state, and still have or use a permanent address in the

Southern District of Indiana, you are not exempt from jury service in this Court. If you are not

available to serve during the designated term of service, you may submit a hardship request for excuse

indicating their name and relationship and explain why such action was necessary.

 What if the person who received the questionnaire is deceased?

If you are responding to the Juror Questionnaire, you may respond on their behalf by completing the

questionnaire as follows:

o Write “deceased” and the date of passing next to the name and address;

o Sign your name and relationship;

o Date the questionnaire; and

o Send it back using the postage-paid, business reply envelope provided.

 What should I do if I am sick or have an emergency the day that I am supposed to report?

If an emergency occurs, such as a sudden illness, accident or death in the family, please contact the

Court Bailiff immediately. You will be asked to fax a letter explaining why you were unable to appear

for jury service. If necessary, further documentation may be requested.

perform community service, or any combination thereof.”

 Why am I receiving another Jury Questionnaire when in the past I was excused due to

medical reasons or I asked to be exempt from service?

Prior years questionnaire records are deleted to ensure impartiality and random selection. If you

submitted a medical excuse in the past and have received a jury questionnaire, chances are that you

did not meet the requirements for permanent disqualification. You will need to complete the jury

questionnaire and mail it back using the postage-paid envelope. If you feel that medically you are

unable to serve, then you will need to enclose an updated Physician’s Statement with your

questionnaire.

a resident of Vanderburgh County or the State of Indiana?

Mark through the address printed on the questionnaire; write “Addressee does not live at this address”

and place it back in the mail You do not need to put a stamp on it to return it to the post office.

 What if my address changes after I have already returned to Jury Questionnaire?

It is your responsibility as a potential juror to inform the Court of any possible changes. If your

address changes at any point before or during your jury term, please contact the Court Bailiff as soon

as possible.

State of Indiana, you will not be exempt from jury service. If or when at any time during your service

you are no longer a resident of Vanderburgh County, State of Indiana, please contact the Court Bailiff

as soon as possible to update your information.

 Can I be excused from jury service due to work purposes?

According to Indiana State statute, the Court cannot excuse you from jury service due to work

purposes. However, under Indiana Jury Rule 7. Deferral: “The Judge or Judge’s designee may

authorize deferral of jury service for up to one (1) year upon showing of hardship, extreme

inconvenience, or necessity. Rule 8. Documentation: “The facts supporting juror disqualifications,

exemptions, and deferrals shall be recorded under oath or affirmation. No disqualification, exemption,