Jury Duty
Medford Municipal Court typically holds jury trials on Fridays at 9:00 am unless otherwise noted. You will be notified of the trial date approximately a week and a half before the trial. If you are called to serve on a jury panel you will not be called again during your term. However, if you are called and the trial does not proceed, you may be recalled for a later date. Each term is 24 months long. Jury duty is a civic duty of each citizen. Failure to respond to a jury summons may result in a finding of contempt.
The Court encourages your participation as a juror because it is an important civic duty. If you feel that you cannot serve as a juror, your request to be excused must be made in writing and should set forth your reasons. You will be advised of the Court’s decision on your request.
If you have received this notice and you no longer live in the City of Medford:
Please notify the court via email at court@cityofmedford.org or by US mail and your name will be removed from the juror pool for the year. The court obtains your information from the Jackson County voter registration list. If you have yet to do so, please update your voter information.
To check on the status of a trial that you received a juror summons for click here: www.juryresponse.com/medfordor
External Resources
For more information regarding expectations for jurors, please refer to the Oregon State Bar Handbook. The handbook is available in a variety of languages.
Need an Excusal?
Check out our jury excusal frequently asked questions page.
Juror Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why is jury service required?
Answer: This right to a trial by jury in certain cases is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Any person who is entitled to a jury trial is entitled to a jury that represents the whole community. It is important that a fair cross-section of the City’s population is represented on the jury panel to prevent discrimination or bias.
Question: What if my employer doesn’t want me to serve?
Answer: Oregon law provides that your employer may not discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce you by reason of your jury service. Any violations are to be reported to the court.
Question: Will I have to come if the case is settled before the day of trial?
Answer: Please call our jury line at 541-774-2077 the night before the trial to confirm whether jury trials are still scheduled. You will not be paid for jury duty if the trial was canceled, and you didn't call the night before to verify.
Question: Where do I check in?
Answer: Jurors will check in at the Municipal Court window. Jurors normally wait in a designated jury or waiting room after check-in. We request that you remain there until you are excused.
Question: What should I expect when the jury retires for deliberation?
Answer: The first job of the jury is to choose a presiding juror who will see that every juror has an opportunity to be heard. The presiding juror will also conduct the balloting when the jury votes on a verdict. It is important that you wait to formulate your opinion about the verdict until the deliberations begin in the jury room. To avoid arguments in the jury room, listen to everyone’s opinion, make your own decision, and vote as your intellect and conscience dictate.
Question: Will I be chosen for a specific trial?
Answer: When a specific trial is about to begin, the judge will have the clerk randomly select potential jurors from the jury panel. The judge will introduce the jurors to the parties and their attorneys. The judge may then outline the issues of the case and may ask the potential jurors some general questions. Next, the parties or their attorneys may also question the potential jurors. This jury selection process is called “voir dire” which is French for “to tell the truth.” Attorneys can challenge potential jurors “for cause” by giving the judge a good reason to have a juror excused. Each attorney may also use a limited number of “peremptory” challenges without giving a reason.
If you are excused from serving, you should not take it personally because it is not a reflection on your competency or character. The chosen jurors will be sworn in when voir dire is completed, at which time the judge may instruct the jury about rules to be followed during the trial.