Jury Service

JURORS PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM.

Being a juror does not need any special skills or knowledge. However, having an open mind and the ability to set aside personal feelings and biases are necessary.  Jurors listen to the arguments of both sides and then must make a decision based on the evidence and the facts as instructed by the judge of the case.

Your service as a juror protects the right to have a trial by an impartial jury the way the authors of the Constitution wanted.  Jury service may mean rearranging appointments, schedules, work, etc. However, if you were on trial, wouldn’t you want someone like you to make the sacrifices necessary to be part of your jury?

All U.S. citizens who are over the age of 18 and a resident of the county that issued the jury summons are eligible to serve.  Those who are ineligible to serve are:  

1. Not a resident of the county that issued the summons.
2. Not a citizen of the United States.
3. Prior service within two years for a Federal or Circuit Court jury.
4. Under the age of 18.
5. Over the age of 70 and don’t wish to serve.
6. Woman breast-feeding a child.
7. Currently serving a term in jail or imprisonment due to a felony conviction. If you have a qualifying conviction or sentence, you are not eligible to be a grand juror or a juror in a criminal action, but you are eligible to serve as a juror in civil cases.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO COURTHOUSE

Columbia County Courthouse is located at:

230 Strand St.
Saint Helens, Oregon 97051

Click here for Mapquest directions. As with any online directions service please independently verify driving directions for accuracy.

JURY SUMMONS

When you receive a Jury Summons please note the following items: the Month of Service; the Date to Appear for Orientation; and the Questionnaire to be filled out and returned in the envelope provided within 5 days.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Your term of service will be for one (1) month.  If you have served as a Juror within the last 2 years, please notify the Jury Coordinator as you will be excused from serving at this time.

JURY ORIENTATION

The Jury Orientation is held at 8:00 A.M. on the date indicated on the Summons.  The orientation will be held in Circuit Courtroom 351 on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse annex.  It will last approximately one (1) hour.  During the orientation you will also receive information about being a juror. You will also receive a copy of the Juror Handbook.

Juror Handbook published by the Oregon State Bar

WHERE TO REPORT

Jurors are asked to call 503-397-1662 after 6:00 p.m. each day to learn if their panel number is to report for jury service the following day.  The message you listen to on Friday evening will be for Monday and will remain the same throughout the weekend.  When your panel is called to serve, please report to the 3rd floor of the Courthouse annex at the time stated in the message.

PARKING

Parking is on the riverside of the Courthouse. Additional parking is located on 2nd and St. Helens Street behind the Second Time Around Phase Two antique shop.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES

The Court has Assistive Listening Devices for the hearing impaired.  If you need hearing accommodations, please notify the Jury Coordinator of your need as soon as you receive your Jury Summons.

DEFERRING SERVICE

If you are unable to serve as a Juror for your term, you may request to be deferred to another month. You must choose a month not more than one (1) year from the date of your original summons. On the “Petition for Excuse or Deferral” form, please indicate which month you would prefer to serve. You may be deferred only once.

Petition for Excuse or Deferral in .pdf format

REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED

If you believe that serving as a Juror would pose a hardship for you, you may request to be excused.  Please provide complete information on the “Petition for Excuse or Deferral” in order for our office to determine whether or not to excuse you.  If you are over 70 years of age, you may be excused upon request either by mail, email, or telephone communication. All other requests must be in writing.  If you are seeking to be excused because of medical conditions, please provide a doctor’s certification regarding your medical condition. Other reasons for seeking to be excused can include:  having moved out of state or to another county; full time student; non-citizen of the United States; active duty in the Armed Services; breast-feeding a new born baby; prior service as a juror; 

PROHIBITED ACTS BY EMPLOYERS

The law provides that an employer shall not discharge or threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce an employee by reason of the employee's service as a juror. However, this does not alter the effect of an employer's policies or agreements regarding wages during jury service.

JURY DUTY COMPENSATION

Jury duty compensation is established by the legislature and is subject to change based on the legislative process. You will be advised as to the daily fee and the mileage fee that is in effect for your jury term of service at the orientation.

MILEAGE FEE REIMBURSEMENT

Like jury duty compensation, mileage reimbursement is set by the legislature and subject to change. Mileage reimbursement will be paid for each day the juror is required to travel to attend jury service.  Mileage will be based on the number of miles between the juror’s usual place of residence and the place where jury service is performed.

SECURITY

The Columbia County Courthouse is a secure area. Do NOT bring any of the following items with you to the Courthouse: weapons including handguns, pocket knives, and chemical sprays.

If you have any questions please contact Jury Coordinator Pamela Fischer at 503-397-2327 ext 307 or by email: pamela.g.fischer@ojd.state.or.us