Jury Duty Frequently Asked Questions
How are people chosen for jury service?The District of South Carolina uses Voter Registration lists compiled by the South Carolina Election Commission to create a pool of potential jurors.
How are names drawn for jury service?Names are drawn randomly by computer. Each county is represented in accordance with the population. Petit jurors are drawn from counties within their respective jury areas. Grand jurors are selected in the same manner or from the entire state.
Will I be able to serve in my home county?The District of South Carolina is divided into three large jury areas which may require travel to a courthouse some distance from one's home. Since all jurors are selected randomly by computer, a person may be summoned to a courthouse which is not the closest Federal Courthouse to his/her home.
Will I have to report to the courthouse every day or be on call?Jury selection is completed on the first day you report. If you are chosen as a juror you will know the name of the case you will be serving on, the expected trial date and the estimated length of the trial. You will receive written instructions to call the jury toll free number prior to the trial date. If you are not chosen on a jury, your jury service is completed.
How do I request to be excused or postpone jury service?All requests must be in writing. You cannot be excused over the telephone. You may write a letter and mail it, you may fax it to (803) 765-5283 or email it to the email address listed on the information sheet you receive with your summons for jury service.
How will I know if I have been excused?Start calling the toll free number on the front of your summons 11 business days after submitting your written request. There will be a message for you concerning your status as soon as your request is processed. You will not receive written notification.
I served in a county court recently. Will I be excused from having to serve on a federal jury?No. Prior local jury service is not an excuse. Federal Court jury service within the previous two years is a valid excuse.
I was permanently excused from previous federal jury service, but I have received another questionnaire. Why?We randomly select names from the Voter Registration Lists every two years. When you are excused by the Court, your name remains on the voter files; so there is the potential of being selected as a prospective juror again.
I am a student and jury service will be detrimental to my studies. May I be excused?You may not be excused for being a student, but you may be deferred for later service. If you are still in school when you are called for later service, you may be deferred again.
I don't have to serve in State Court when I am 65 years old. Why am I not excused in Federal Court?The statutory age for excuse from federal jury service is 70.
I sent a doctor's excuse stating I should be excused for medical reasons but I still got summoned. Why?Your doctor's excuse must be specific enough to determine if there is a permanent or temporary medical problem. Potential jurors are eligible to be summoned over a two year period.
I have lost my summons. What should I do?You can contact the Jury Section in Columbia at 803.765.5584 or 803.253.3997 to obtain another summons
I lost my juror questionnaire. How can I obtain another one?You can contact the Jury Section in Columbia at 803.765.5584 or 803.253.3997 to get another questionnaire. If the jury section states the standard questionnaire is being used for your term of service, you may download the form from this website and mail it in.
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