Frequently
Asked Questions 
How was I chosen for jury duty?
Every
two years, a three person Jury Commission supervises the compilation of
a master jury list of county residents who are registered voters, licensed
drivers, or both. Persons selected for jury duty are selected at random
from the master list.
Do I have to respond to the jury summons?
Yes. Jury service is the solemn
obligation of all qualified citizens. Failure to comply with this
Summons is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.
Who is eligible to serve as a juror in North Carolina courts?
To be eligible to serve as a juror you must meet the following qualifications: 1) You must be a citizen and resident of Moore County, North Carolina;
2) You must be 18 year of age or older; 3) You must be physically and
mentally competent; 4) You must be able to hear and understand the
English language; 5)You must not have been convicted of a felony or
pled no contest to a felony unless you have had your citizenship
restored pursuant be law; 6) you must not have been adjudged
incompetent; and 7) You must not have served on a jury within the last
2 years.
What if I can’t serve on the date I have been told to report to the courthouse?
Excuses from jury service will be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship or because requiring service would be contrary to public welfare, health, or safety. Applications for excuse from jury service must be made by submitting a written request to the Chief District Court Judge no later than 10 days before the first day of service.
Any person summoned as a juror who is age 72 or older may establish exemption from jury duty without appearing in person by providing the ground or reason for there exemption, and forwarding to the Chief District Court Judge at least 5 working days before the date summoned to appear. G.S.9-6.1
An
application to be excused or deferred from jury service is printed on
the back of your Summons. This may be mailed with supporting
documentation to:
Honorable Michael A. Sabiston
Chief
District Court Judge
Post
Office Box 936
Carthage,
North Carolina 28327
When and where do I report / park?
Jurors should report to the Moore County Courts Facility Building, as instructed on your summons. If you have instructions to call ahead attached to your summons, please follow the instructions on the automated system
Parking Information: Free
parking is available at the parking lot on Ray St., directly across
from the U.S. Post Office and beside the Carthage Presbyterian Church.
Will the State pay me for jury duty?
North
Carolina law provides for the compensation of citizens who are called
for
jury service at the rate of $12 for day one of service. You will be
paid $20 for each day of service, day 2-5. If you are seated
on a trial and serve for more than 5 days, you will be paid $30 for
every
day after those first 5 days. The Clerk of Superior Court will mail you
a check for the appropriate amount.
Can my employer fire me if I serve as a juror?
North
Carolina law prohibits employers from firing or demoting an employee because
they serve as a juror. However, the law does not require that the employee
be paid in full while serving.
Should I bring anything with me to the Courthouse?
Bring
a book, needlework, crossword puzzles, or other materials to occupy your
time. While efforts will be made by the Court to reduce delays in trial
starts and to avoid long waiting periods for you, some waiting time should
be anticipated while jurors are chosen to sit on a jury.
What should I wear?
You should
dress comfortably, but not too casually. Dress for Court as if you were
going to work or to church. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to
court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, shorts, or shirts with
offensive wording. Remember you will be acting as part of the Court while
serving as jurors, so dress appropriately. Also, you might want to wear
layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring
the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket.
How long will I have to serve?
If you
are seated for a trial, you must serve until the trial ends, which may
be two days to several weeks. Most jurors, however, only serve for one
or two days.
If there is an emergency at home, how will my family contact me?
In an
emergency, you may be contacted through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office,
at 910-947-2396.
The court staff will make certain that you get the message.
Will I be locked up in a hotel during the trial?
It is
extremely rare for a jury to be "sequestered" or kept in a hotel during
a trial. You should expect that you will be allowed to go home at the end
of each court day.
How will I know what to do as a juror?
When you
report to the Courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains
what to expect as a juror. You will also be given additional information
from the court staff. Then all jurors present will take an oath as jurors
and be given a red juror badge to wear until they are released from jury
duty by the judge. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on
your duties as a juror.
Why are some jurors dismissed and not allowed to sit for a trial?
When your name is randomly drawn to take a numbered seat in the jury box at the start of a trial, the attorneys will ask you questions about yourself. If your answers to questions lead the attorneys or the judge to feel that you could not be objective in considering the evidence in this trial, you will be dismissed with the Court’s thanks.