Frequently Asked Questions
- How was I selected for Jury Service?
- What do I do with the form I received in the mail?
- Can I submit the juror qualification form online?
- Will I receive a separate notification of service and reporting dates?
- How long do I have to serve?
- What if I am unable to serve during the service period for which I have been selected?
- Do I get paid for service?
- Is there a dress code?
- What can I bring to the Court House?
- What if I have a disability or special needs?
- How do I get to the Court House - where do I park?
- Where do I report?
- Will I have to report for service each day of the service period?
- Do I have to call (or visit the Jury Announcement website) every evening during my service period?
- Can I serve on more than one trial?
- How often does the Grand Jury meet?
- Can jury duty place my job in jeopardy?
- What if I have a medical or family emergency the day of service?
- What is the inclement weather policy?
- Is child care available?
How was I selected for Jury Service?
Maryland’s jury selection law provides that jurors are selected at random from a fair cross section of citizens residing in the County where the Court convenes. Your name has been selected at random from a consolidated list of all registered voters and MVA cardholders who reside in Frederick County.
What do I do with the form I received in the mail?
Jury management in Frederick County is a one-step process. That means the SUMMONS and JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM is the only notice that you will receive before your scheduled jury service. It is very important that you read the form in its entirety on both sides and follow all instructions.
The top of the form is your SUMMONS. It contains your Juror badge number (located underneath of the barcode), your week of service and your group number. The back of the Summons contains instructions for how you will determine your daily reporting status, parking and other important information.
The bottom portion of the form (Parts A and B) is your JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM. You, or someone on your behalf, must complete Parts A and B and sign where indicated. This portion of the form must be detached and returned, by mail or fax to the Jury Office within 10 days after it is received by you. If you need assistance completing the form or have questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at the address and/or phone number listed on the front (Part A) of the Summons and Qualification form.
Can I complete the juror qualification form online?
Yes. You can complete the Juror Qualification Form online at http://mdcourts.gov/juryservice/jurorqualificationform.html. Click on the "Frederick" link found toward the bottom of the page to take you to the login screen.
Will I receive a separate notification of service and reporting dates?
NO. The SUMMONS and JUROR QUALIFICATION FORM is the only notice that you will receive. It is very important that you read the form in its entirety and follow all directions. If you have questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at the address and/or phone number as listed.
How long do I have to serve?
PETIT jurors are “on call” for a term of one (1) WEEK or one (1) TRIAL. You may be required to report and/or serve on any given day within your assigned week.
GRAND Jurors will serve a term of six (6) months beginning in either February or September.
What if I am unable to serve during the service period for which I have been selected?
PETIT jurors who are unable to attend jury duty during the week in which they have been summoned for any reason (i.e., business, vacation, medical appointment, etc.) should complete Parts A and B of the Juror Qualification form and submit a written request for postponement to the Jury Clerk. The request can be submitted via regular mail, fax or email. The email address is [email protected]. You will be contacted within ten (10) days of the receipt of the request in order to reschedule your jury service.
Do I get paid for service?
During your period of service, you will be paid the sum of $35.00 per day for every day that you are required to report to the courthouse for jury service. If you are on a trial that extends past five days, you will be paid the sum of $50 per day beginning with the sixth day.
Is there a dress code?
Proper attire is required -- NO UNIFORMS, SHORTS, CUT-OFF JEANS, T-SHIRTS/GYM CLOTHES, HATS (EXCEPT FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES) OR TANK AND HALTER TOPS. You may wish to bring a sweater. Please refrain from using heavily scented perfumes or colognes.
What can I bring to the Court House?
The courthouse is a secured building and all persons and their personal items will be screened upon entry. NO weapons of ANY kind are permitted on the premises of the courthouse. Please leave any questionable items at home. You may bring food, drinks and reading materials with you to jury service, along with your cell phones, tablets and laptops. There is free Wi-Fi available in the courthouse. Please note that possession and use of cell phones and other electronic devices are limited or prohibited in designated areas of the court facility.
What if I have a disability or special needs?
Please indicate on Part B of your Summons that you will need an accommodation due to a disability or special need. The courthouse is equipped with elevators, and there are handicapped parking spaces available in the rear parking lot of the courthouse.
How do I get to the Court House and where do I park?
The courthouse is located at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. [Directions] Jurors are to park in the West Patrick Street deck which is located at 138 West Patrick Street. The deck sits directly on your left after you pass the courthouse on West Patrick Street. IT IS NOT THE COURT STREET DECK. You must park in the parking deck that is located on West Patrick Street to have your parking expense paid by the Court. The West Patrick Street deck is the parking deck that is closest to the rear doors of the courthouse. You may use either the front or rear doors of the courthouse to enter the building. Please bring your parking ticket with you into the jury room for further instructions.
Where do I report?
Please call (301) 600-1979 after 4:30 p.m. the evening prior to your date of service for all reporting instructions.
Will I have to report for service each day of the service period?
No. If you are a PETIT juror, you will call and listen to the recorded message at (301) 600-1979 the evening prior to your date of service to listen if your GROUP NUMBER is required to report and also the reporting time. (For example: The message put on Friday evening will provide instructions as to required jury groups for Monday). Continue to call each evening after 4:30 p.m. during your scheduled week to receive instructions for the following day. You are to report for PETIT jury service only if and when your GROUP NUMBER is requested to report during your scheduled week.
If you are a GRAND juror, you must attend the Grand Juror orientation which will be held on the date listed on your Grand Juror Summons. This is a MANDATORY date for you to appear provided you have not been considered disqualified or exempt from Grand Jury service. Please call (301) 600-1979 the evening prior to your date of service for all reporting instructions. Please bring the top portion of your Summons with you. You will receive a list of possible dates the Grand Jury could meet and further instructions during that orientation.
Do I have to call every evening during my service period?
PETIT jurors will call (301) 600-1979 each evening after 4:30 p.m. during their scheduled week to receive instructions for the following day. You can call as early as the Friday afternoon before your week of service to check on the following Monday’s jury service.
GRAND jurors will call (301) 600-1979 the evening prior to the first date of service and listen for reporting instructions. A list of additional dates that the Grand Jury could meet and further instructions will be distributed on the first date of service.
Can I serve on more than one trial?
No. A PETIT juror will only be required to serve on one (1) jury trial.
How often does the Grand Jury meet?
The Grand Jury usually meets every other Friday during their six (6) month term.
Can jury duty place my job in jeopardy?
An employer may not deprive an employee of his/her employment solely because of job time lost by the employee as a result of responding to a jury summons or as result of attending court for service or prospective service as a PETIT (trial) or GRAND juror.
What if I have a medical or family emergency the day of service?
In the event of a medical or family emergency on your date of service, please call the Jury Clerk at (301) 600-1979. Leave a message if there is no one available to answer your call. The Jury Clerk will determine if your jury service should be rescheduled or excused and instruct you as to what documentation, if any, will be required to be produced to verify the emergency.
What is the inclement weather policy?
In the event of inclement weather, please check the recorded message at (301) 600-1979 in the morning prior to reporting to listen for any possible changes. The message will be updated no later than 7:30 a.m. If there are no changes to the message at that time, you are to report as instructed.
Is child care available?
There are NO provisions for child care while you serve your jury duty.