Petit Jury Petit juries, also known as trial juries, decide both criminal and civil cases. In a criminal case, a petit jury decides whether the Government has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime as charged.
If you are requesting to be excused or postponed, please fax your completed information sheet and written request to (312) 554-8673 for Chicago and (815) 987-4291 for Rockford.
Examples include: Full-Time Student, Care Giver, Child Care, Temporary Medical Condition, Scheduled Vacation, or Work Schedule conflict.
Reasons for Being Excused from Jury Service Medical reasons. Public necessity. Undue hardship. Dependent care. Student Status. Military conflict. Other reason deemed sufficient by the court.
If you have been convicted of a felony when the conviction has not been set aside or a pardon issued. If you are a judge, clerk of a district court, a sheriff, or a jailer. If your spouse has been summoned for the same jury panel. If you or your spouse have a pending jury trial in any court.
The jury selection process is known as voir dire. During this process, the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney will ask you questions. Generally, the best way to avoid being picked is to express strong opinions during questioning. Additionally, sometimes, your career may be enough to get you excused.
Medical conditions, deafness, difficult sitting for long periods, people who know the defendant or officers, people who've been victims of crimes, financial hardship, and more will be excused. Depending on the county, they might call 100 people to select just 12.
Medical conditions, deafness, difficult sitting for long periods, people who know the defendant or officers, people who've been victims of crimes, financial hardship, and more will be excused. Depending on the county, they might call 100 people to select just 12.