Mecklenburg County Jury Service
ATTENTION JURORS:
If your reporting time is in the morning (AM), you MUST visit eresponse.mecknc.gov or call the automated juror information line at 877-649-7133 after 5:30 p.m. the evening before your scheduled report date to determine if your appearance is still required. If your reporting time is in the afternoon (PM), you MUST visit eresponse.mecknc.gov or call the automated juror information line at 877-649-7133 after 12:00 p.m. on your report date to determine your status. Additionally, prior to reporting for service, you must confirm your receipt of the summons at eresponse.mecknc.gov and watch the
- Mecklenburg County Juror Orientation video
AND - North Carolina Judicial Branch You, the Juror video
(It will take approximately 30 minutes to watch both videos.)
Safety precautions related to COVID-19 have necessitated the reconfiguration of courtrooms. Because jurors will sit on wooden benches it is suggested that you bring a pillow or seat cushion with you for your comfort. Please also bring a pen or pencil.
COVID-19 SCREENING AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Within 14 days of your service date, please review the following COVID-19 screening questions:
- Within the past 14 days, have you had close contact with someone that you know had COVID-19 or had symptoms of COVID-19 (close contact=within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more)?
- Are you waiting for test results from a COVID-19 test?
- Within the past 14 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19 or been told to self-quarantine or self-isolate for any reason?
- Do you have or have you had any of the following symptoms during the past 10 days?
- Fever (100.4oF or greater)
- Feeling feverish or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- New muscle pain/body aches (not due to injury or exercise)
- Nausea/vomiting or diarrhea
DO NOT REPORT TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR JURY SERVICE IF ANY OF THE ABOVE APPLY TO YOU. Instead, please notify the Jury Management Office via eResponse, email (jurymanagementoffice@mecklenburgcountync.gov), or by phone at 877-649-7133.
In the continued interest of the health and safety of the community and court personnel, the Mecklenburg County Courthouse is taking the necessary precautions during the health crisis that COVID-19 presents by implementing protective measures. The wearing of face masks will be mandatory in the courthouse. In the Jury Assembly Suite, enhanced cleaning will take place twice a day throughout the seating area. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be made readily available throughout the suite, and there will be limitations on the number of jurors reporting to ensure social distancing.
Individuals at higher risk for complications should they contract the Coronavirus due to underlying conditions may seek to be excused from jury service or have their service deferred with documentation from their medical provider.* A medical provider note is not necessary if the juror is seeking to be excused or deferred because they are age 65 or over.
*If submitting documentation via email, please be aware that you assume all of the risks associated with transmitting any confidential or personal information over email.
Mecklenburg County Jury Manager System
In Mecklenburg County, citizens who are summoned for jury service may access the interactive juror website at eresponse.mecknc.gov. This site was designed to manage the most common requests related to jury service and offers many helpful features for jurors, including the ability to:
- Obtain current reporting status or status of a request for deferral or excusal (submitted via website)
- Access jury service history
- Verify/update personal data
- Request a deferral, excusal, or disqualification
- Request a jury service reminder
- Print jury service notifications
- Print Employer Letter or Jury Service Verification Certificate, after jury service concludes
To log onto the interactive site, you will need your juror ID and date of birth. The Jury Management Office hopes the interactive website is user-friendly and is an efficient way to obtain important information about your jury service.
Your feedback regarding the website is welcomed. Please share any suggestions or let us know about your experience on the Jury Service Exit Survey.
Length of Service
Jury service operates on the one-day / one-trial system. A new group of jurors are summoned each day of the week and, if selected to serve on a jury, a juror will serve for the duration of the trial. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over at the end of the day. If sent to a courtroom or selected to sit on a trial, jurors will serve until released by the judge. Jurors released from courtrooms must always report back to the Jury Assembly Room for further instructions. If not selected again, those jurors will be allowed to go home at the end of the day, having completed their jury service.
Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day while the trial is in progress. If chosen to serve as a grand juror, service is required every other Monday for a six-month period.
Hours of Service
Jurors should plan to be present at least until 5:00 p.m. for each day that they are in service.
The lunch break is normally held between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1:55 p.m.
Where to Report
Jurors are to appear in Room 5450 of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on the date they are summoned. (Please note: Jurors are not allowed into the building until 8:00 a.m.)
After parking, use the crosswalks to cross over to the Mecklenburg County Courthouse entrance at the corner of 4th and McDowell Streets. Go through the security checkpoint. Proceed across the atrium to the public elevators and take the elevator to Level 5. Turn right out of the elevator and report to the Jury Assembly Room (5450).
In the event of inclement weather, jurors should tune to their local television or radio station, visit the website at eresponse.mecknc.gov, or call the Jury Information Line at 1-877-649-7133 for reporting instructions and possible court closings.
Parking
Please follow the parking instructions carefully. Bring your parking deck ticket for validation by a Jury Coordinator.
Accommodations
Food and Beverages
Lunch will not be provided; however, you may bring your own lunch. A refrigerator and microwave are located in the Jury Assembly Room for your convenience. Drink and snack machines are located in the Jury Assembly Room. Directions to restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse are posted in the Jury Assembly Room.
Generally, lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 1:55 p.m., unless you are otherwise instructed by the Jury Coordinator or Judge. Please listen to their instructions carefully.
Nursing Mothers
In our continuing efforts to make performing jury service in Mecklenburg County even more convenient for citizens, we have added a Lactation Room for nursing mothers. The Lactation Room features a counter and cabinets, a sink with a "hot shot" water dispenser for sanitizing, a changing table, refrigerator, and a rocking chair.
To access the Lactation Room, please see one of the Jury Coordinators.
On-Site Child Care
Children are not allowed in the Jury Assembly Room. Larry King's Clubhouse: Children's Play & Care Center provides free childcare services to jurors and may be contacted at (704) 686-0285.
Please note that Larry King's Clubhouse staff cannot answer questions regarding jury service. Jury information can be obtained by calling the Interactive Voice Response System at (704) 686-0195.
Electronic Devices / Internet Access
Electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and iPads/tablets, are allowed in the courthouse. At the security checkpoint, you will be asked to turn on any electronic devices before being allowed to enter the building. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the courthouse. Personal computers are available for use in the Juror Business Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
Juror Handbook
Mecklenburg's Juror Handbook: A Guide for Potential Jurors explains the trial process and the importance of the juror's role in the proceedings.