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 10 days of your service date, please review the following COVID-19 screening questions:
- Have you experienced any of the symptoms in the list below in the past 48 hours?
- Fever or chills
- New or unexplained onset of cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- New or unexplained loss of taste or smell
- New or unexplained muscle aches (not due to injury or exercise)
- Are you isolating because you tested positive for COVID-19 or are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results?
DO NOT REPORT TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR JURY SERVICE IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” TO EITHER OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. Instead, please notify the Jury Management Office via eResponse, email (jurymanagementoffice@mecklenburgcountync.gov), or by phone at 877-649-7133.
COVID-19 Exposure Guidance:
If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, you can still report for jury service. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of a person currently infected with the virus for at least 15 minutes total during a 24-hour period. If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19, regardless of whether you have been vaccinated, follow the instructions from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure everyone's safety:
- Starting on the day you were exposed, wear a well-fitting mask or respirator around others for 10 additional days.
- Get tested at least 5 full days after the day you were exposed. Continue wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator for the full 10 days regardless of the test result.
- If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately, get tested, and stay home until you know the test result.
Please visit Mecklenburg County Public Health’s COVID-19 quarantine and isolation information or call the Public Health hotline at 980-314-9400 for more information on what to do if you are exposed to COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, or have symptoms of COVID-19.
Protective Measures:
In the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, the wearing of face masks/coverings is currently optional, unless you have been exposed to COVID-19. Face masks are available at the check in desk in the Jury Assembly Suite. Additionally, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are readily available throughout the suite, and all seating and other high-touch areas are disinfected daily.
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 because they are age 72 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.
Juror Support Program
Following the trial, most jurors are relieved to return to their workplace or home after their time on the jury. For a small number of jurors, though, this may be more challenging than expected. There may be various reasons why jurors feel confused or upset after a trial. If your ability to function in any area(s) of your life is being affected, it may be an indication that you need additional support following your role as a juror. Please see the Juror Support Program flyer for additional information and resources.