14A District Court, Michigan

 

To log in to eResponse and process requests for deferment or excusal, or confirm your attendance, click here.

Selection process Expectations Juror Responsibilities Term of service Choosing a Jury Scheduling Conflicts My Job

Finding the Court Parking Jury pay Transportation Costs Student Concerns Religious Concerns Day Care

Appropriate Dress Laptops, Cell Phones, Pagers Food Failing to Show Up 14A Jury Clerk Juror's Manual Watch Out for Scam Artists

How Was I selected?
The jury selection process is a random process from start to finish.  Initially, your name was among those from Washtenaw County randomly selected from the State of Michigan drivers’ license and state identification lists.  From the initial pool of juror candidates received from the State, the Washtenaw County Jury Commission issues qualification and personal history questionnaires to a randomly selected sample.  Upon receipt of the completed qualification questionnaires, the Jury Commission reviews and qualifies potential jurors according to law.  Questionnaires for a random pool of qualified jurors are then forwarded to the 14A District Court for summoning.

What Can I Expect?

• The Case Resolution Process:
  
  The 14A District Court has three judges: the Honorable J. Cedric Simpson, the Honorable Kirk W. Tabbey and the Honorable Richard E. Conlin.  Each judge schedules jury trials at the beginning of each month.  Each judge may have as many as twenty jury trials originally scheduled for a given jury week.  Between the time the cases are scheduled and the actual selection of a jury, the judges do everything they can to resolve the cases short of jury trial.  Many of the cases are resolved by settlement, plea or dismissal, which saves money for the community and time for prospective jurors.  Typically, only a few of the originally scheduled cases are left for each judge on the day of jury selection.

• Your Presence is Important:

Of those cases that are left on jury selection day, many reach resolution without an actual jury trial taking place. The fact that the jurors are in the courthouse and ready for selection often drives parties to the realization that reaching an agreement on their own – even with compromise – is more attractive than leaving the decision to an objective third party like a jury.  In other words, your mere presence as a juror helps to resolve disputes, even if you never get in the jury box.

• Arrival, Check-in and Orientation:

When you arrive at the 14A District Court on the date and time for which you have been summoned, you will be checked in by the jury clerk and provided a juror badge.  Court staff will provide you with an orientation program outlining specifics about what you can expect when you are in the courtroom for selection.

What are the Responsibilities of a Juror?

Jurors must be prompt in arriving at the court. A trial cannot begin unless all jurors are present.

Jurors must give their undivided attention to the witnesses, attorneys, and proceedings. Remember that the outcome of the case is very important to those concerned.

The trial will begin with opening statements by the attorneys for both sides. The examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence will begin after opening statements.

In final arguments, both attorneys will have an opportunity to summarize their positions and review the facts of the case. At the conclusion of the final arguments, the judge will issue instructions to the jury concerning the law and its application to the particular case.

The jurors will then proceed to the jury room to begin deliberation. The jurors must select a foreperson who presides over these deliberations. You will discuss the evidence and attempt to arrive at a fair and impartial verdict based on the facts presented during the trial and the law as given by the judge's instruction. When deliberations are complete, you will return to the courtroom for the presentation of your verdict.

How Long Will It Take?
The 14A District Court conducts jury trials throughout the month of service.  This means that your term of service will last for the duration of the selection process (typically 1 day) or the duration of one trial if you are seated on a jury (typically 1-2 additional days.)  District Court trials are for misdemeanor criminal offenses (offenses in which a convicted defendant may be sentenced up to a maximum of 1 year in jail) and civil law suits in which the amount in dispute is less than $25,000.   Jury trials for these types of cases generally last anywhere from 1 day to 1 week, although occasionally a trial may continue beyond 1 week.

How is a Jury Chosen?
When you arrive at the courthouse a jury clerk will meet you at juror check-in and request your name and address. Before the selection of jurors begins, you will be asked to swear or affirm that you will truthfully answer the questions concerning your fairness and ability to sit as a juror on a particular case. As a prospective juror you will be questioned by the judge or trial attorneys. This process, referred to as Voir Dire, is conducted to determine whether you have opinions or attitudes which would bias you in favor or disfavor of either side. While some questions may be personal in nature, they are not intended to embarrass you even if that becomes the result. They are asked to determine if there is a reason you should not sit on the case. Jurors may be excused for cause for reasons such as a personal or financial relationship with a party which would impair their ability to be fair. In addition, each side may excuse a limited number of jurors by peremptory challenge without any reason. Jurors who are excused from one case may be eligible to sit on another.

If I have a schedule conflict with when I’ve been summoned, can I get rescheduled?
If upon receiving your summons you realize you have a scheduling conflict (for example, a pre-purchased or planned vacation, a scheduled medical procedure, a business trip, etc.), you may log in to eResponse to request a deferral of your service.  No more than one postponement will be granted.

Will Serving on Jury Duty Affect My Job?
Your employer is required by law to release you for jury service.  An employer who discharges or disciplines or threatens to discharge or discipline an employee because that person is summoned for jury service may be charged with a misdemeanor and also may be punished for contempt of court.  In addition, an employer may be charged with a misdemeanor if he/she forces an employee to work any number of hours during a day which, in combination with the hours served as a juror that day, exceeds the number of hours normally and customarily worked by the person during a day (unless otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement).

Although not mandated by State law, many employers today will continue to pay you during your jury service.  As mandated by law, jurors receive not less than $25/day ($12.50/half day) for the first day of jury service; $40/day for each subsequent day ($20/half day).  Also jurors are paid $0.10 per mile for roundtrip travel from home to the 14A District Court.  Should your employer continue to pay you during jury service, he/she may require you to remit your juror compensation.

How Do I Get to the 14A District Court?

14A-1 District Court 4133 Washtenaw Ave.     Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (734) 973-4545

14A-2 District Court 415 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734) 484-6690

14A-3 District Court 122 S. Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118  (734) 475-8606

Parking
14A-1
Parking is available in the lot located behind (North of) the 14A-1 Courthouse. The lot is accessible from Hogback Road at the entrance to the County Service Center.

14A-2
Limited parking is available in the lot adjacent to the 14A-2 Courthouse. If that lot is full, there is an overflow lot located on the West side of the Fire Department.

14A-3
Parking is available in the lot located on Park St. behind Chelsea Market. Limited street parking is available on South St. (Park St. and South St. are located at opposite sides of the same traffic light intersection of Main St.)

What Do I Get Paid to Serve on a Jury?
You will receive $12.50 for the first half-day, and $25.00 for the first full-day of jury service.  Subsequent days (if any) will be compensated at a rate of $20.00 for subsequent half-days and $40.00 for subsequent full-days.  You will also receive mileage in the amount of $0.10 per mile (round trip) for each full or half day of jury service. Juror payments are only processed once per month and you may not receive your check until the end of the month following your month of service (almost two months after service.)

Does the Court Pay for My Transportation Costs?
Yes. You will be paid for mileage at the rate of $0.10 per mile (round trip).

I am a Student and Don't Want to Miss Any of My Classes
If you are a college student, please provide verification that you will be in school during the month you are on call for jury service. With verification, your jury service could be changed to a month when you are available. Contact the 14A District Court Jury Clerk for information on rescheduling your service.

My Religion Prohibits Me from Judging Another Person
If you are requesting to be excused on religious grounds, please submit a written statement in support of this request to the 14A District Court Jury Clerk.

Are There Day Care Services Provided?
The Court does not offer any day care services.

What Should I Wear?
Please wear clothing that is conservative, clean and comfortable. Shorts, tank tops  and bare midriffs are not appropriate.

Can I Bring a Laptop, Pager or Cell Phone With Me?
These items are prohibited in all 14A District Court buildings.

Can I Bring Food With Me?
Some beverages and snacks are provided in the jury assembly area. You may bring your own food especially if you are a diabetic or on a special diet. Open food and beverages are not allowed in the courtrooms.

What Happens If I Fail to Show Up for Jury Service?
Those selected as potential jurors who fail to appear when called to jury service may be held in contempt of court.  Thus, it is vitally important for those unable to attend for any reason to contact the  14A District Court Jury Clerk in advance of the session to be excused.

Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns about Jury Service?
Please contact the 14A Jury Clerk at the location for which you have been summoned for jury service with any questions or concerns about jury service. All requests for deferrals and dismissals must be made in writing and contain the juror's original signature.

14A-1 Jury Clerk Becky Fisher 4133 Washtenaw Ave. PO Box 8645 Ann Arbor, MI 48107-4865 (734) 973-4880

14A-2 Jury Clerk Colleen Turek 415 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (734) 484-6619

14A-3 Jury Clerk Deborah Orlowski 122 S. Main St. Chelsea, MI 48118 (734) 475-8606 ext. 2120

Where Can I Read the Juror's Manual Prepared by the State Bar of Michigan?
You may view a pdf version here.

Special Warning About Scam Artists Trying to Obtain Your Personal Information By Claiming That You Failed to Show Up for Assigned Jury Service
All correspondence from the court will be in writing.  Identity thieves posing as court workers are calling people around the country -- including Michigan -- to tell them they failed to report for jury service, that a warrant has been issued for their arrest and then ask for a Social Security number and other personal information. Detroit Free Press, August 19, 2005).