Jury Duty Information

A jury is a body of persons temporarily selected from the citizens of a particular district, and invested with power to present or indict a person for a public offense, or to try a question of fact (Black’s Law Dictionary 6^th Edition).

Jurors are currently selected at random from a list provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The list, or venire, is made up of qualified motorists 18 years of age or older or individuals 18 years of age or older who hold Florida identification cards.

Jury trials are held in Dade City and New Port Richey. The specific location where you are to report will be included in your jury summons. If you fail to report for jury duty and have not obtained an excusal, you may be found in contempt of court.

View the Jury Reporting Information for Dade City                    View the Jury Reporting Information for New Port Richey

Mandatory Exemptions

If one of the following exemptions apply you may not serve on a jury in Pasco County:

• Convicted of a felony, civil rights not restored


• No longer reside in Pasco County


• Not a U.S. citizen or legal resident of Florida


• Served as a juror in Pasco County within the last twelve months


• Under prosecution for any crime

Optional Exemptions

The following persons, upon written request, may be excused from jury service:

• Expectant mother


• Full time law enforcement officer/Investigative officer


• Full time student


• Medical reasons – Must have doctor's statement


• If you are a parent not employed full time with custody of a child under age 6


• Person 70 years of age or over


• Responsible for the care of someone with a physical or mental incapacity - Must have doctor's statement

If you qualify for an exemption follow the directions on your jury summons and return the completed form to the Jury Clerk at the address listed on the summons or submit the Juror Excusal Form online. You will receive a reply ONLY if you are NOT excused.

Juror Excusal Form

Postponement of Jury Service

If you need to postpone or reschedule jury service indicate in the space provided on the jury summons and return to the Jury Clerk or submit the Juror Postponement Form online. You will receive another summons approximately two weeks prior to the date you select.

Juror Postponement Form

Term of Service

If you are scheduled to report on Monday, it is possible your term of service will be for Monday only or if you are selected as a juror, for the completion of that trial. A person who has reported as a prospective juror is exempt from jury service for one year from the last day of service.

Compensation

Jurors who are employed and continue to receive regular wages while serving as a juror are not entitled to compensation by the State for the first three days of jury duty.

Jurors not employed or who do not continue to receive regular wages during jury service are entitled to $15 per day. All jurors required to serve more than 3 days will be compensated at $30 per day beginning on the 4^th day of jury duty.

Employment includes: full time, part-time, temporary or casual employment when employment hours can be determined by a schedule or custom and practice established during a three month period prior to service as a juror.

The Florida Supreme Court and Legislature establish juror compensation.

Attire

Jurors should appear for jury duty in a manner respectful of the court; everyday business attire is suggested and appreciated. It is recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket for your comfort in the air-conditioned courtrooms. No shorts, culottes, undershirts, tank tops, etc. are acceptable. Any person not appropriately dressed may be held in contempt of court and may be sent home.

Parking

Dade City - Parking area is on the south side of the building facing Live Oak Avenue.
New Port Richey - Parking is adjacent to Government Drive at the southwest corner of the building.

Phone In

If you need further assistance you may call the following recorded announcement, day or night:

Dade City (352) 521-4274 ext. 7991
New Port Richey (727) 847-8190

For detailed jury instructions you may call the following recorded announcement after 5:30pm beginning the day before you are required to report for jury service:

Dade City (352) 521-4200 or (800) 253-7731
New Port Richey (727) 847-8900 or (800) 253-7734

You may call the Jury Clerk Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm at:

Dade City (352) 521-4454 or (800) 368-4274 ext. 4454
New Port Richey (727) 847-8044 or (800) 368-4274 ext. 8044

FOR PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURTS OF PASCO COUNTY

Any person with a disability requiring reasonable accommodations should call (352) 521-4274 ext. 8135 in Dade City,(727) 847-8135 in New Port Richey no later than seven days prior to any proceeding.