Massachusetts Jury Duty Policy: A Detailed Overview Jury duty is an essential component of the judicial process, ensuring fair and impartial trials. In Massachusetts, the state imposes specific policies and regulations regarding jury duty that every citizen must adhere to when called upon. The Massachusetts Jury Duty Policy outlines the requirements, exemptions, compensation, and procedures associated with serving on a jury. Keywords: Massachusetts, Jury Duty Policy, requirements, exemptions, compensation, procedures 1. Requirements for Jury Duty in Massachusetts: — Citizenship: To be eligible for jury duty in Massachusetts, an individual must be a United States citizen. — Age: Jurors must be at least 18 years old. — Residency: Eligible individuals must be residents of Massachusetts. — Mental and physical capacity: Jurors should possess the mental and physical abilities required to perform their duties. 2. Exemptions from Jury Duty in Massachusetts: — Occupations: Certain professions, such as active-duty military personnel, public safety officials, and elected officials, may be exempt from jury duty. — Hardships: Individuals facing undue hardships while adhering to jury duty obligations, such as financial burdens, illness, or caregiving responsibilities, may seek exemptions. However, these exemptions are subject to approval by the court. Types of Massachusetts Jury Duty Policies: 1. Grand Jury Duty: — Role: A grand jury is responsible for investigating potential criminal conduct to determine if there is enough evidence for an indictment. — Duration: Massachusetts grand jury duty typically lasts for several months or as required by the specific case. 2. Trial Jury Duty: — Role: A trial jury serves in a court trial to determine the guilt or innocence of an individual accused of a crime or the resolution of a civil matter. — Duration: Massachusetts trial jury duty can vary in length, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the case. 3. Compensation for Jury Duty in Massachusetts: — Payment: Jurors in Massachusetts are compensated for their service. The compensation amount varies, typically ranging from $50-$120 per day, depending on the type of jury duty and the length of service. — Reimbursement: Jurors are often reimbursed for travel expenses, such as parking fees and public transportation costs, incurred while attending jury duty. 4. Procedures for Jury Duty in Massachusetts: — Summoning process: Prospective jurors are randomly selected from various databases and sent a summons by mail, which contains instructions regarding their service. — Reporting: Jurors must report to the designated courthouse on the specified date and time mentioned in the summons. — Selection: Jurors are selected by the court through a process called void dire, where attorneys question potential jurors to determine their eligibility and impartiality. — Sequestration: In some cases, jurors may be required to stay at a designated location (hotel) throughout the trial duration to avoid outside influences during deliberations. In conclusion, Massachusetts has a comprehensive Jury Duty Policy that defines the requirements, exemptions, compensation, and procedures associated with serving on a jury. This policy encompasses both grand jury duty and trial jury duty, providing citizens with an opportunity to play an active role in the justice system while ensuring a fair trial for all.
Massachusetts Jury Duty Policy
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In response to the current situation in the Commonwealth with respect to COVID-19, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued an order on Friday pausing all jury trials in Massachusetts state courthouses until January 31, 2022.
No jury trials, in either criminal or civil cases will be conducted in Massachusetts state courts until February 14, 2022.
If you don't appear for your arraignment, the court may enter a default against you and issue a warrant for your arrest. You should resolve this matter with the court immediately.
You can postpone your date of service to any available business day within 12 months of your original service date for any reason. The Office of Jury Commissioner (OJC) strongly recommends that you pick a date no more than 11 months from your original date in case you need to postpone again before your deadline.
There are currently no closures at this time.
Prove your service to the courts You can only be summoned for jury duty once every 3 years. If you receive another summons within the next 3 years, you'll need to provide this certificate to be disqualified.
If you want to be excused for another reason (such as illness), you must state that reason on the form and enclose any certificates or documents in support of your application. The County Registrar will decide if you can be excused, or not.
Most, but not all jurors, will finish their service in 13 days. This means that you'll serve for 1 day or, if impaneled, for the duration of 1 trial. Whatever your length of service, you don't have to serve again for another 3 years.
Massachusetts has a list of specific excuses that can be used to be exempt from reporting for jury duty, including excuses for military, elected official, student, breastfeeding, age, police, medical worker and firefighter.
Common Effective Jury Duty ExcusesExtreme Financial Hardship.Full-Time Student Status.Surgery/Medical Reasons.Being Elderly.Being Too Opinionated.Mental/Emotional Instability.Relation to the Case/Conflict of Interest.Line of Work.More items...?