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FAQs
Where does the Jury Commission obtain names of prospective jurors?

In accordance with Illinois law, the names of prospective jurors are obtained from the DuPage County Election Commission, Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

How was my name selected?
Your name was randomly drawn by computer from a combined list of DuPage County residents who hold an Illinois driver’s license, State of Illinois Identification Card or Illinois Person with a Disability Card holder, aged 18 and older, also persons who have received unemployment compensation in the past 12 months, as well as registered voters.
Who is eligible to serve?
To serve as a juror you must be:

  • At least 18 years old
  • A United States citizen
  • Have a DuPage County address
  • Be able to understand the English language
How far can I be called for jury service?

You are eligible to be called for service once every twelve months.

How long is jury service?

If you are summoned as a Trial juror, also known as a Petit juror, you will serve either for the length of one trial or one day.

If you are summoned as a Regular Grand or a Supplemental Grand juror your service will be at the minimum for that day.

If you are selected to serve on the Grand Jury, your service will be one day a week for a three-month period (approximately 13 days).

How long does a trial last?
The average trial is 2 to 3 days. However, there are trials that can last longer or shorter than the average. At the end of the day, if you are not selected to hear a trial or assigned to a courtroom for jury selection, you will be released and discharged from your service by the Jury Commission staff. Once selected as a juror to hear a case, you will be dismissed by the Judge at the conclusion of the trial.
How long will the day go?

You should anticipate and make all necessary arrangements for a full business day, until approximately 4:30 p.m. However, the day can go longer if you are involved in a late afternoon jury selection or you are a juror actually hearing a case. If selected as a juror to hear a case the trial judge will inform you of the daily schedule for that trial.

Is there a dress code?
Business or business casual attire is the most appropriate. T-shirts and shorts are not appropriate. Extremes in dress may cause you to be sent home and rescheduled for service.
Where do I park?
There is free parking in the garage (509 N. County Farm Road) or in the parking lot located to the east side of the Judicial Center. Please follow the signs that will direct you to "Court Business Parking".
What can I bring with me?

The DuPage County Judicial Center is a secured facility. All persons entering are subject to search. Do not bring items such as video tape recorders, cameras, firearms, knives, scissors, chemical sprays, metal belts, work tools, glass water bottles/containers or anything that could be considered a weapon.

You are welcome to bring personal items such as cell phones, laptops, I-Pods, books, newspapers or magazines. The Jury Commission provides free wireless internet access for those with wireless laptop computers. Due to security precautions, please note that if you bring a cell phone and/or laptop computer with camera capabilities, you must bring your jury summons and photo identification to gain entrance to the Judicial Center. However, all of those items must remain in the Jury Lounge if you are assigned to a courtroom. There are a limited number of lockers available to secure these items. If you are required to carry a syringe for medical reasons, please contact the Jury Commission prior to your date of service for further instructions.

Does the Court provide childcare?

No, childcare is not provided.

Will jury service go overnight?

Only rarely is a jury "sequestered". If sequestered, the Court will provide meals, lodging and the retrieval of jurors’ required personal items for them from their homes.

Is there an emergency telephone number where I can be reached?
In case of emergency a message can be left with the Jury Commission staff at 630-407-8785.
Is lunch provided?

Lunch is not provided; it is on your own. There is a cafeteria located within the Jury Lounge. There are also a number of restaurants located within a short drive of the Judicial Center. You may go home for lunch if you live close enough to be back at the time directed.

How much will I be paid?
As established by the DuPage County Board, jurors receive $10 for their first day of service and $15 per day for any subsequent days of service as well as mileage at the current rate.
When will I get paid?

For Petit jury service, you will receive a check on the day of your service. However, if you are selected to serve on a jury, a check with the remaining portion will be mailed to your summons address approximately 10 to 14 days after the completion of your service.  For Grand Jury, a check will be mailed to your summons address approximately 10-14 days after the completion of your service.

Will I have verification of service of my employer?
Attached to your service payment will be certificate indicating the dates of service, the number of days served and the fees paid.
Does my employer have to pay me?
Employers are not required by law to compensate employees while they are on jury duty. Please check with your employer regarding your company’s policy.
Can my employer prevent me for attending jury duty?
Illinois law requires that your employer give you the time off for jury service. No employer can discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce any employee for attendance at jury duty. An employer that does may be charged with civil and / or criminal contempt and will be liable for damages. A juror encountering this situation should contact the Jury Commission at phone number listed below.
I work a night shift, can my employer require me to work?
Illinois law provides that an employer may not deny an employee time off for attendance at jury duty because an employee is assigned to work a night shift. An employer cannot require a night shift worker to work while the employee is doing jury service in the daytime. An employer that does may be charged with civil and / or criminal contempt and will be liable for damages. A juror encountering this situation should contact the Jury Commission at phone number listed below.
Do I have to turn my juror check over to my employer?
Please check with your employer regarding your company’s policy.
Can I change the date of my service?
Yes, you may request a short one time postponement of your jury service. Requests can be submitted by e-mail to juryduty@18thjudicial.org, through this website via I-Juror, by U.S. mail by filling out the form provided in your summons or by telephone at 630-407-8785.
How do I request an excusal?
Excusals must be submitted by email at juryduty@18thjudicial.org, by FAX at 630-407-8789 or by returning the juror response form to the Office of the Jury Commission by U.S. mail. Please provide proper documentation with your excusal request, such as an updated Driver’s License, State ID, or voter registration card for proof that you no longer live in DuPage County. If you are not a United States citizen, please provide verification of non-citizenship (Alien Registration Card, Visa, Passport, Matricula) with your written excusal request. Each excusal request will be considered individually. Also, if you are under the age of 70 years old and have a medical condition that would prohibit your ability to serve as a juror, please provide a letter from your doctor.
Are there exemptions from service for being a teacher or student?

There are no occupational or student exemptions from jury service. You may request a short postponement of your service to allow you the opportunity to arrange your work or school schedule. Students attending classes out of the area can request a postponement to the next school break.

Serving  in a jury will  be a hardship for me,  can I be excused?
The Jury Commission recognizes that jury service can sometimes create personal or occupational hardships. The Jury Commission staff will work with you to select a service date, within a short period of time, which may be less of a hardship.

The majority of jurors will complete their service in one day. During the process of jury selection, you will have the opportunity to explain your personal situation to the Court. You may have to explain your situation in more than one courtroom. At the end of the day, if you are not selected to hear a trial or assigned to a courtroom for jury selection, you will be released and discharged from your service.
Is there an age limit for jury service?

In order to serve as a juror you must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit for service. However, if because of advanced age there is a medical or physical reason that prevents you from serving, you may request to be excused from service. All requests must be submitted in writing on the form provided in your summons. Each request will be considered individually. Please provide as much information as possible so that an appropriate decision can be made.

I no longer live in DuPage County, can I still  serve?

You must have a DuPage County address in order to serve as a juror. Please use the form provided with your summons to be excused from service. All requests must also provide verification of move through either an updated driver’s license or voter card.

The address on the summons is correct, but it is not in DuPage County?

There are a number of communities that are in more than one county. On occasion, we will summon someone who does not reside in DuPage County. Please send back the form provided in your summons and request to be excused from service. Make sure you indicate that the address is correct however not within DuPage County.

I am not a citizen of the united States, can I still serve?
You must be a citizen of the United States in order to serve. Please use the form provided with your summons to be excused from service. All requests must also include verification of non-citizenship (Alien Registration Card, Visa, Passport, Matricula).
I have case pending, or have a criminal conviction, can I still serve?
A pending court case or a criminal conviction does not exempt you from being a member of the jury pool. During the jury selection process, the Judge and the attorneys will determine whether you are eligible to serve as a juror on that specific case.
Who can I contact with additional questions?

You can telephone the Jury Commission staff at 630- 407-8785, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM until 4:30PM (except for court holidays).

What is your mailing address and telephone number?
Office of the Jury Commission
505 North County Farm Road
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

Telephone: 630-407-8785
Facsimile: 630-407-8789
Preguntas Frequentes
Donde obtuvo la Comision de Jurados los nombres de los posibles candidatos?
Conforme a las leyes de Illinois se obtiene de la Comisión Electoral del Condado de DuPage y de la Secretaria de Seguridad Laboral los nombres de los posibles candidatos.
Como se Selecciono mi nombre?
Your name was randomly drawn by computer from a combined list of DuPage County residents who hold an Illinois driver’s license, State of Illinois Identification Card or Illinois Person with a Disability Card holder, aged 18 and older, also persons who have received unemployment compensation in the past 12 months, as well as registered voters.
Quien es eligible para prestar servicio como jurado?
Para poder servir como jurado debe:

  • Haber cumplido 18 años
  • Ser ciudadano de los Estados Unidos
  • Tener un domicilio del Condado de DuPage 
  • Ser capaz de entender el idioma ingles
Con que frecuencia puedo ser IIamado para el servicio de Jurado?
Es elegible para ser llamado una vez cada 12 meses.
Cuanto dura el servicio del jurado?
Si es citado como jurado para un juicio, conocido como Petit Juror, Ud. cumplirá ya sea la duración de un juicio o un día.  
Si es citado como jurado regular o suplente del gran jurado su servicio será por mínimo de un día.  Si es seleccionado para ser parte del gran jurado, su servicio será de un día a la semana por un periodo de tres meses (aproximadamente 13 dias}.
Cuanto tiempo dura un juicio?
El promedio es de 2 a 3 días.   Hay juicios que duran más o menos tiempo del promedio. Al finalizar el día si no se le selecciono para escuchar un juicio o no se le asigno a un salón para selección del jurado, un empleado de la Comisión de Jurados lo dejara salir y queda liberado de sus responsabilidades.  Una vez haya sido seleccionado como jurado para escuchar a un juicio, el juez lo dejara salir al terminas ese juicio.
Cuanto durara el dia?
Debe anticipe y hacer todos los arreglos necesarios para cumplir con un día laboral completo que sería hasta aproximadamente las 4:30 p.m. Si se le selecciona como parte de un jurado y se le asigna a un caso su día pudiese alargarse.  El Juez le informara sobre el horario si se le selecciona como jurado para escuchar un caso.
Hay un codigo de vestimena?
Donde me estacino?
Hay estacionamiento gratuito en el garaje (509 N. County Farm Road) o en el lote de estacionamiento localizado en el lado este del Centro Judicial.  Siga las señales que le llevara al estacionamiento “Court Business Parking”.
Que puedo traer conmingo?
El Centro judicial del Condado de DuPage es una instalación segura.   Las personas que entran están sujetas a una revision. No traiga artículos como video grabadoras, cámaras, armas de fuego, chuchillos, tijeras, aerosoles químicos, cinturones de metal, herramientas de trabajo, botellas de agua de vidrio/envases o cualquier cosa que se pudiera considerar un arma. 

uede traer artículos personales como un teléfono celular, laptop, I-Pod, libros, periódicos o revistas.  La Comisión de Jurados ofrece conexión inalámbrica al internet gratuita para uso de laptops.  Debido a medidas de seguridad, favor de tener en cuenta que, si trae con Ud. un teléfono celular o una computadora laptop con cámara, requiere traer y mostrar su Citatorio además de una identificación con fotografía para poder entrar al Centro Judicial.  Sin embargo, estos artículos tienen que permanecer en la sala de espera si se le asigna a una Sala del Tribunal.  Tenemos un numero limitado de lockers disponibles para guardar sus artículos.   Para más información, si por razones médicas Ud. requiere llevar consigo una jeringa, favor ponerse en contacto con la Comisión de Jurados antes de la fecha de su servicio.
El tribunal proporciona  cuidado para ninos?
No, el Tribunal no proporcional cuidado para niños.
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