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JURY DUTY SCAM |
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Please be aware: The Hamilton County Court System will not call you and ask
you for your social security number or for any of your credit card numbers. Do not
provide any of this information to anyone claiming to represent the court system.
This scam has happened in eleven states including Tennessee. If you receive a call
like this please hang up and contact your local Sheriff’s department. |
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Welcome! To Hamilton County Grand Jury Duty |
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The trial Judges and Circuit Court Clerk of the Eleventh Judicial District of Hamilton
County welcome you to your jury service. This web site was created to provide useful
information concerning jury duty in Hamilton County. We hope that all of your questions
are answered. We realize it is difficult to reach us via telephone and for that
we apologize. If you still have a question, after reading this web site, please
give us a call at the number given on your summons or email the Jury Coordinator
at juryclerk@hamiltontn.gov.
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Serving on a Hamilton County Jury
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Jury duty falls under one of the responsibilities of the Circuit Court Clerk, Paula T. Thompson.
Jury duty touches the lives of about 1,200 residents each year and each one has family, friends, employers
and co-workers who are affected by their jury service.
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HOW WAS I SELECTED FOR JURY DUTY |
Persons who are:
- Licensed drivers in Hamilton County
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JUROR QUALIFICATIONS |
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ELIGIBILITY: A person is only eligible for jury service if he or she is at least 18 years of age, is a citizen of the United States, has been a resident of Hamilton County for at least 12 months, has not served as a juror during the
previous twenty-four (24) months, and has not been convicted of perjury, subornation of perjury, a felony, or any infamous offense.
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THE FOLLOWING MAY BE EXCUSED WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION provided no later than
the day a juror is scheduled to appear. |
Prospective jurors who:
- have a mental or physical condition that causes that person to be incapable of performing
jury service.
- show documentation that such service will constitute an undue or extreme physical
or financial hardship
- Proper documentation:
• income tax returns
• medical statements from a licensed physician
• proof of dependency or guardianship
• affidavit stating that the person is unable to obtain appropriate substitute caregiver
Failure to provide satisfactory documentation may result
in a denial of the request to be excused. Any information faxed must include summons
for proper identification. You may fax such documentation and summons to 423-209-7499.
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POSTPONEMENT |
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You may postpone your jury service to a date the court will be in session.
The Grand Jury calendar is for a four (4) month period of time beginning in January,
May and September in 2009 and 2010. You may only postpone one time.
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COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYMENT |
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If selected to serve as a juror, you will receive $13.00 per day for attendance.
If an employer employs less than five (5) people on a regular basis or if the juror
has been employed by an employer on a temporary basis for less than six months,
the employer is not required to compensate the juror during the period of jury service.
All other Tennessee employers must provide a juror’s usual compensation for the
time the juror actually spends serving and traveling to and from jury duty. An employer
has the discretion to deduct the amount of compensation the juror receives from
the court from the jurors pay. You may request a certificate of attendance when
you report for jury duty if your employer requires such a certificate. If the employer
needs specific times they must provide you with a time sheet to be completed by
court staff. (See Tennessee Code Annotated 22-4-106) |
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PARKING |
Your parking ticket will only be validated
after the first day.
You may park in the Republic Parking garage located between the Courthouse and the
Courts building. You can enter on Cherry Street or Walnut Street. Parking is paid
for you if you are selected, AFTER THE FIRST DAY. |
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ATTIRE |
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Jurors must be dressed appropriately while in the courthouse. Although the judge
will determine whether juror's attire is appropriate, jurors should not wear shorts,
short skirts, sagging pants, see-through or suggestive clothing, visible undergarments
(including undershirts and tank tops), flip flops, house shoes, bandanas, headbands,
hats/caps, or clothing with inappropriate or offensive advertisements or slogans.
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COURTHOUSE SECURITY |
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You will go through a metal detector in the Courthouse. No sharp metal objects allowed
(e.g. pocket knives, nail clippers, tools, etc.). No laptop computers or outside
food or beverages allowed. You will be asked to remove all items from your pockets,
and your waist belt. To expedite the screening process we ask that you limit the
items you bring with you.
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