Jury Duty

What is Jury Duty?

The right to trial by jury is one of the fundamental American rights guaranteed by the State and Federal constitutions. It is the duty of every citizen to preserve this right by serving as a juror when called upon to do so. Failure to comply with a jury summons can result in a $100.00 fine and Contempt of Court charges [F.S. 40.23(3)]. Prospective jurors are drawn at random from the State of Florida’s driver’s license list for Nassau County in accordance with F.S. 40.011. The basic requirements for being eligible for Jury Duty are as follows:
  • US Citizenship
  • Legal Residency within the county that issues the summons
  • Minimum age of at least 18 years.
Also used are the names of individuals 18 and older who hold identification cards issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The names of non-driver Florida (Nassau County) residents who wish to voluntarily submit affidavits offering their names for possible use in compiling jury lists are also included.

Exemptions/Disqualifications

Section 40.013 of the Florida states the reasons a person may be excused from jury service. Exemptions are broken down into two categories, which are “Optional Exemption” and “Mandatory Disqualified Exemption”. The conditions for exemptions are as shown below:

Option Exemption (upon request only)

  • You are an expectant mother.
  • You are 70 years of age or older.
  • You are a parent not employed full time and have the care and custody of a child under 6 years of age.
  • You were previously summoned and appeared as a prospective juror in Nassau County within one (1) year. (One year constitutes last date served up to and including the new date that you are to appear).
  • You take care of a person who is incapacitated mentally or physically.
  • You are a full-time federal, state or local law enforcement officer or investigator employed by a law enforcement agency.

Mandatory Disqualified Exemption

  • You are not 18 years old.
  • You are not a citizen of The United States.
  • You hold the position of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet Officer, Clerk of the Court, or Judge.
  • You are a convicted felon and your civil rights have not been restored.
  • You are currently under prosecution for a crime.
  • You no longer reside in Nassau County.

You must be excused if you are listed in one of the mandatory categories. You will only be excused for one of the optional reasons should you request to be excused. You must follow the directions in the “Juror Excusal Statement” portion of your summons in order to be excused for either category.

**Potential jurors who have a request for exemption, or other hardship/conflict/deferral, MUST submit that request BEFORE the registration date deadline. Use the ‘Other Deferral’ section on the registration page to submit your request.  Jurors may NOT wait until they have already been selected for a juror panel to request an excusal.

Types of Trials

Cases, which come before a petit jury (so called to distinguish an ordinary jury from a grand jury), are divided into two general classes. Civil and Criminal. In a civil trial, parties in dispute come to court to have a jury determine their respective rights. The person who files suit or brings action against another is called the “plaintiff”. The person against whom the action is brought is the “defendant”. In a criminal trial, the persons who bring the actions against others are the people of the State of Florida, represented by a “prosecutor”, from the State Attorney’s Office. The “defendant” is a person or corporation accused of a violation of law. 

Length of Service

The first day of service is normally limited to jury selection for trials held the following week. Jury panels will be selected and asked to return on the date of trial. Most trials last one day. [F.S. 40.41]

Compensation for Jury Duty

Florida Law sets juror compensation. If an individual continues to receive regular wages while serving as a juror, then the state will not compensate that person for the first three days of jury service. If an individual is unemployed, self-employed or someone who does not receive regular wages from the employer, then that person would be entitled to $15 per day (flat rate with no separate amount for mileage) for the first 3 days of service. Furthermore, any juror who serves beyond 3 days will receive $30 per day for the 4th day and any additional days. Approximately 10 days after completion of your jury service, a check will be mailed to you. [F.S. 40.24]

Proper Attire for Jury Duty

When serving Jury Duty it is requested that you dress appropriately. Casual clothes are not appropriate attire for Jury Duty. It is requested that men wear a coat and tie, and women wear a dress or pants suit. Military or other uniforms are also appropriate attire for both men and women. No jeans, capri pants or shorts.

Where to Report for Jury Duty

 The Robert M. Foster Justice Center is located at 76347 Veterans Way in Yulee, Florida. Parking is located directly in front of the building at no cost

Jury Service / Reporting

We can be reached at (904) 548-4607 from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday -Friday. Court cases often settle between the time summonses are mailed and jurors are scheduled to report. Therefore, please be advised it is your responsibility to call the working day before you are to report for jury duty and find out whether your presence is required in court.

Questions or Concerns?

Email us at jury@nassauclerk.com or click here.

ADA Information

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled to the provision of certain assistance at no cost to you. Please contact the ADA Coordinator at (904)-548-4600 (press 0 when prompted) at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

ADA Contact Information

Phone – (904) 548-4917
Fax – (904) 548-4949
TTD/TTY – Dial 711
E-Mail – ADA@nassauclerk.com