Jurors

Petit Jury

Petit Jurors are jurors who hear evidence and render a verdict in criminal or civil cases.

You will receive your jury summons/questionnaire in the mail approximately four (4) weeks prior to your term of service.  The questionnaire is to be completed in full and sent back immediately to the court.  You are to retain the summons portion of the form (which is the actual court order), and bring it with you when you report to court.  Petit jury service is for two weeks.

To determine whether you need to report for petit jury duty, you must call and listen to the recorded message as indicated on your Petit Jury Summons.  You are to call and check the recorded message every evening after 5:00 p.m. beginning the weekday prior to your service start date.  It is important that you call every evening during your two week service period and listen carefully to the recorded message for jury reporting instructions.  The number to call is 937-521-1750, option 1.  The recorded message operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are selected to serve on a ‘Petit Jury’, you will hear a case which is criminal or civil.  The law requires twelve (12) jurors to be seated in a criminal case, only eight (8) jurors are required in a civil case.  In a criminal trial, the jury must find a litigant “guilty” or “not guilty” by unanimous vote.  In civil cases the law requires a vote of at least three-fourths of the jury to reach a verdict.  Most jury trials will seat an “alternate-juror” in the event sickness or unforeseen circumstances arise in which one of the regular jurors are unable to hear the entire trial.  The “alternate-juror” hears the trial in its entirety but does not participate in jury deliberations unless the alternate replaces one of the original jurors.  Petit jurors are paid a per diem rate of $15 for half a day and $30 for a full day.

Excusal from Jury Duty

You should request to be excused if you are not a citizen of the United States of America, not a resident of Clark County, or not yet 18 years of age. Any prospective juror over 75 years of age may request to be excused.

Proof of Attendance

Verification of attendance will be provided for each juror upon request. The hours that a juror spent in court are not reported as we do not keep track of this information.

Nearby Restaurants

If you are looking for a place to eat in downtown Springfield, please view the Visit Greater Springfield website at

visitgreaterspringfield.com/where-to-eat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How was I selected to be a juror?
The Court randomly selects jurors every year from the lists of registered voters.
Who can serve as a juror?
You must be a resident of Clark County, at least 18 years of age, and must understand the English language. Beyond that, everyone is given the opportunity to be a juror regardless of age (if at least 18) and regardless of occupation.
Do I need to complete the jury questionnaire?
Yes, all questionnaires for a petit jury need to be completed and returned.
What if I have a permanent medical condition that prevents me from doing jury duty?
Complete and return the questionnaire, request to be excused for a medical condition, and provide a written statement as indicated on the questionnaire.
What if I am a caregiver for a sick, aged, or infirm dependent?
Complete and return the questionnaire, request to be excused for being a caretaker, and provide a written statement as indicated on the questionnaire.
What if I have a conflict with my jury service?
Complete and return your questionnaire and request a one-time postponement, filing in the reason it is needed. Ohio law allows one postponement for as long as six months. Conflicts may include doctor’s appointments, vacations, business trips, job interviews, or class commitments for students.
What should I wear to court?
Jurors reporting for jury selection are expected to use good judgment and dress in a manner appropriate for a courtroom. As a juror, you are expected to maintain a professional and respectable appearance while performing your duties. Hats should never be worn in a courtroom.