| 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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