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Jury Service Information

Jury Commission


Jury Manager
jurycommission@ashtabulacounty.us

(M-F) 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (440) 576-3615
Fax: (440) 576-4968

25 West Jefferson Street
Jefferson, Ohio 44047

Table of Contents

 1  Selection & Requirements
 2  Types of Juries & Length of Service
 3  Notification & Procedures
 4  Important Instructions
 5  Thank You
Justice
Additional Info

It is the Court's intention that your service as a juror or prospective juror be a “rewarding” experience, even though the monetary compensation is minimal. We know that your service represents some inconvenience to each of you. We believe you will recognize it as necessary. In the United States, our justice system is based on the belief that a just and fair result in court comes from having disputes settled by our fellow citizens. When you are called to be a juror, you become a very important person in our legal system. Remember, some day you may want the service of a jury to decide a problem of yours. Jury service is both a legal obligation and a civic duty. It is a sacrifice required by democracy.

SELECTION & REQUIREMENTS

Jury trials are held in the Common Pleas Courts and in the County Courts. Jurors are chosen at random from a list of registered voters who are bonafide residents of Ashtabula County. Jurors must be at least 18 years of age and they must not have lost their right to serve on a jury by having been convicted of certain crimes. Beyond those requirements, everyone is given the opportunity to be a juror regardless of age or occupation. Under very special circumstances, a person may be excused from jury service. All excuses must be submitted in written form and will not be taken over the telephone. All questions regarding jury selection and service should be addressed to the Jury Commission at (440)576-3615, or to your assigned Judge.

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TYPES OF JURIES & LENGTH OF SERVICE

Most jurors will be selected to serve on a petit jury. The number of jurors required is determined by the type of case and the court in which the proceedings will be held. Also, the Judge may decide to have alternate jurors selected in case something should happen to one of the original jury panel. Jurors selected for service on a petit jury in this county are summoned for one specific date.

The grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence. Rather, these jurors hear evidence and decide whether a person should be indicted and tried for committing a crime. Persons selected on a grand jury serve a four month term and report 2 times per month on alternating weeks unless additional days are needed. As much notice as possible will be given for all dates of service.

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NOTIFICATION & PROCEDURES

Prospective jurors will receive a summons with a questionnaire attached which must be completed and returned to the Office of the Jury Manager. This packet will also include your juror number, the date of your service, your assigned courtroom, and the phone number to call the night before your scheduled service date. Jurors are instructed to call the evening before the scheduled report date or on Friday evening if your scheduled date is on a Monday. The recorded message will provide instructions for those who are required to report for jury duty.

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IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

Circumstances sometimes arise at the last moment cancelling the need for a jury to appear as ordered. An automatic answering device will give you further instructions on whether to report for jury duty. This may save you an unnecessary trip to the courthouse. Any time between 5:00 P.M., the day before your scheduled appearance and 8:00 A.M., the day you are ordered to appear, PLEASE CALL (440)576-6641 to see if you need to appear for jury duty. As there may be instructions for other juries on the tape, ignore all instructions except those instructions for your assigned Judge. Jurors who fail to call the above number will not be reimbursed for reporting if their jury service was cancelled the day before the scheduled appearance date.

RESTROOMS - For the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas and Eastern County Court: restrooms are located on the first and second floors. Once jurors are checked in at their assigned courtroom they must use the restrooms that are located in the court’s jury room.

For Western County Court: restrooms are located on the second floor outside the jury room.

FOOD/BEVERAGE - Located in the lobby area of the courthouse is a break room with vending machines where you may purchase coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. You may want to use these facilities at the lunch break. No food or beverages are allowed in the courtroom. Tables and chairs are provided in the break room. When you are released for lunch break, you are on your own. There are several restaurants and fast food establishments in Jefferson. Most are located within a block or two of the courthouse, on North and South Chestnut Streets, or you may wish to pack your own meal or use the facilities in the break room.

For Western County Court: Coffee will be provided for jurors but this court does not have vending machines available in the building. However, there are several locale eateries within walking distance.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Each court may have different rules regarding cell phones, at a minimum, phones should be turned off during court proceedings or they may be confiscated. A court may collect phones or any other device capable of recording (ie: tablets, i-pads, etc…) during trial and return them to you on breaks and after court has finished for the day. It is important that, while in trial, jurors do not post information on social media their participation in this process or any information surrounding their jury duty. It is also important that jurors refrain from looking up or referring to Google and similar web searches on the internet to research information on the law or specific information surrounding the case they are hearing during trial.

PARKING - - The parking lot for Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas and Eastern County Court is located on the west side of the building with entrances to the lot off of West Walnut Street or West Jefferson Street. You may enter the courthouse lobby through the west door from the parking lot, or you may enter the lobby from the east door, which is near Chestnut Street.

The parking area for Western County Court is at the rear of the building.

SECURITY - You may be required to pass through a security check point before you will be allowed to proceed to the courtroom. All persons entering the courthouse are subject to a search of their person, packages, or other items. A metal detector is in operation as you enter the courthouse. Any person causing the alarm to sound will be searched with a hand-held detector to locate the metal object.

LOCATION - The Ashtabula County Common Pleas courtrooms are located on the second floor and Eastern County Court is located on the first floor of the Ashtabula County Courthouse on 25 West Jefferson St. in Jefferson, Ohio.

Western County court is located on the second floor of the courthouse at 117 West Main St. in Geneva, Ohio; an elevator is available and is handicap accessible.

CHECK-IN - Proceed to the assigned courtroom, after passing through security, to check in with the Bailiff/staff and to complete any paperwork needed. Once you have checked in at your assigned court you must remain in the courtroom until excused by the Judge.

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THANK YOU

On behalf of the Ashtabula County Court System, the attorneys in these cases, the citizens of this County, and the parties involved in these cases, the Courts express appreciation for your services in performing this important public function.



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