| Message
to Jurors |
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Jurors,
The Marion Municipal Court thanks you for your service.
By serving, you have the opportunity to directly participate in the
American legal system which has been in place since the beginning of
our Country. Jury trials are part of the process that protects the
fundamental rights of all citizens. It is an important and rewarding
service which you have been summoned to provide for Marion county.
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| How
was I chosen for jury duty? |
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Your name has been drawn at random
from a list of registered voters in Marion County. Persons 18 years of
age or older, from all walks of life, may be called. You must be a U.S.
citizen, living in Marion County, and be able to read, hear, and speak
the English language.
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Do I really have to?
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Yes. You have been officially
summoned by the Court to be a potential juror. If you do not report for
jury service without a lawful excuse from the Court, you may be brought
before the Court for contempt proceedings. And remember, as a juror,
you are a vital part of the court system. If you have received a notice
to serve as a juror, and you have a medical condition, are 75 years of
age or older, or if there are other circumstances that you feel will
prevent you from serving, you must contact the Court at (740) 383-6103
and your service may be excused or deferred.
Jury trials may be settled or continued after you receive your notice
to appear. If this happens, the Court will contact you immediately at
the phone number provided in your juror questionnaire. You may also
check this website for updates regarding jury trials.
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| What
about my job? |
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Your employer cannot fire or otherwise
penalize you for performing jury duty. Some employers compensate their
employees for the time they are gone for jury duty. Contact your
employer to find out your company's policy. The Court will give you a
work excuse when you leave.
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| Compensation for Jury Duty |
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You will receive a $20.00 voucher from
Marion Municipal Court for appearing on the given day for jury duty
whether you are selected to serve or not. To redeem the voucher, you
will need to take it to the Marion County Auditor's Office, which is
located in the Marion County Building directly across the street from
the City Hall Building.
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| How long will I be there? |
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You will receive a letter a few weeks
ahead of time notifying you of the date to serve. You will need to
report in at the Clerk's Office on the 2nd floor of City Hall at 9:00
a.m. It is possible that you will not be chosen to be on the jury panel
or as an alternate, and you will be released at that time. If you are
chosen to serve, jury trials generally take one day, and may last in to
the evening. It is possible that it will go beyond the first day.
Should this occur, you will be notified when to return to complete your
jury service.
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| What should I wear for jury service? |
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Wear comfortable clothing that
enhances the dignity of the Court and emphasizes the seriousness of
your responsibility. "Dressy casual" is appropriate.
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| May I bring a book to read while I wait for the jury
trial to begin? |
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Certainly! While efforts are made to
reduce delay, you may have to wait awhile to find out if you have been
chosen to actually sit on the jury. Bring a newspaper, crossword, or
use the time to get to know your fellow jurors.
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| Will there be breaks during the trial? |
| Jurors are given a lunch
break, and may be given other breaks during the trial. |
| Types of Cases Tried in Marion Municipal Court |
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Civil
Civil cases are limited to $15,000.00. The cases normally involve two
or more parties who have a dispute over money or property. The person
filing the suit is the plaintiff and the person being sued is the
defendant. Eight jurors and one alternate juror will be selected to
serve and all others will be excused to the Clerk's Office whter they
will receive a voucher for appearing. A verdict in a civil case
requires that three-fourths of the jury agree. Therefore, in a civil
matter, six of the jurors must reach a verdict.
Criminal
A criminal case will involve a person, also known as the defendant, who
is charged with a crime. The plaintiff in a criminal case is the State
of Ohio. Cases heard in the Marion Municipal Court are misdemeanors
such as Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Theft, and Assault. In
a criminal case all eight jurors must agree upon the same verdict.
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| Your Role Is Important |
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Jury trials are an important part of
our justice system and serving as a juror is an important role as a
citizen. Whether you ever sit as a juror or not, you will have been an
integral part of the process, and your service to the community will be
appreciated by the Court and the parties involved.
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