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Jury Duty

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1. When do I report for jury service?

You will be notified a minimum of one day prior by the Jury Commission with the date, time, and location of your jury service. You may be notified by email, text, or both. Check spam folders and voicemails for notifications.

Once the jury term begins, you will not be excused or postponed to another term unless you have an emergency.

2. What if I cannot serve?

You will still need to complete your online juror questionnaire and submit it with one of the following:

                -Physician’s statement, OR

                -Enrollment Verification from the Registrar's Office, OR

                -Brief description of your hardship

Your hardship will be reviewed, and you will be notified via email if you are excused, moved to a new jury term, or if your request is denied and you will need to make arrangements to report if given a date, time, and location.

3. Do I have to fill out the entire questionnaire form?

Yes. You must answer all applicable questions and submit the completed questionnaire form within the time given. 

4. What if I am unable to serve during the dates on my summons?

You may request a one-time deferment to a new jury term. Requests must be made in the juror access website. After completing the online questionnaire click 'Defer Service' and choose an alternate month. You will be notified of the Judge’s decision via email.

5. How do I request a postponement or to be excused?

After completing the online questionnaire form, select your hardship and add details in the text box provided. You may be asked to submit documents to the Jury Commission.

Do not wait until you have been called to report for jury duty to request a postponement.

If you do not have computer access and are filling out the paper questionnaire, please mark the appropriate hardship and include a letter and required documentation explaining your hardship and return all forms to the Jury Commission.

6. What if I am over 70 years old?

If you are 70 years of age or older and do not want to serve, complete the questionnaire form, indicate you do not want to serve, and you will be excused per your request.

7. What if I'm a full-time student and am not able to serve?

If you are a full-time student, you need to complete your questionnaire and submit your enrollment verification from the Registrar's Office for consideration.

8. What are the qualifications to serve as a juror?

In order to serve as a juror, you must be:

• 19 years of age or older
• A citizen of the United States
• Physically and mentally capable
• A resident of the county from which you have been called.

9. What may disqualify me as a juror?

The following may disqualify you:

• You have been convicted of a felony.
• You are a judge, clerk of a District Court, a sheriff, or a jailer.
• Your spouse has been summoned for the same jury term.
• You and/or your spouse are a party to a lawsuit being heard during the same term you are summoned for.
• You no longer reside in Sarpy County.

10. What if I am unable to serve due to my health?

If you are unable to serve due to health conditions, mark that you have a physical or mental impairment in the online questionnaire form and then submit the required Physician's statement.

You may also ask the physician to fax the note directly to the Jury Commission at 402-593-4403.  A judge will review your situation and determine if you are to be excused.

11. What if I moved out of Sarpy County?

Complete the questionnaire form and indicate you are a non-resident. Provide documentation of your new address.  

12. What if I do not read or speak English?

You do not need to speak perfect English to serve as a juror. If you cannot read or speak English, mark it on your questionnaire form and you will be excused. You may have someone else assist you in completing the form if needed.

13. What if I need special accommodations?

Please provide that information on your juror questionnaire form for consideration.

14. What if I am self-employed?

Nebraska law does not provide exemptions for self-employed people. Most jury trials last on average one to three days. You can let the Jury Commission know prior to being notified to report if you need extra notice and we will do our best to assist you. 

15. What if my request to be excused is denied?

If a Judge denies your request to be excused, you are required to make arrangements and report if notified.

16. What are the operating hours of the Courts?

The Courts are open from 8:00am until 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, except for legal holidays. 

17. Where is the Jury Commission office?

In the Clerk of the District Court, 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, NE 68046

18. Where do I report for jury service?

Sarpy County Courthouse, 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, NE 68046

19. Will I get paid for jury service?

You will receive $35.00 plus mileage per day you are required to report.

20. How do I get paid for jury service?

Checks are generally mailed out 3 to 4 weeks after the last day of the jury panel.

21. What items are prohibited in the Hall of Justice?

• Knives of any type.
• Firearms, knuckles, clubs.
• Chemical agents (mace, OC, pepper spray, etc.)
• Non-prescription controlled substances.
• Glass bottles.
• Any item which by its possession, is prohibited by statute.

22. How do jurors get picked for jury duty?

Jurors are randomly picked from a combined list of the Sarpy County Voter Registration List and Driver's License/State Identification Card Holder's List.

23. Why do I have to serve as a juror?

As a juror, you participate in an important public process and fulfill a civic obligation. All persons accused of a crime or involved in a civil dispute have a constitutional right to have a jury decide their cases. When you serve on a jury, you make important decisions affecting other people's lives as well as your own community.

Nebraska State Statute 25-1650 states: 

(3) No qualified potential juror is exempt from jury service, except that any person seventy years of age or older who makes a request to be exempt to the court at the time the Juror Qualification form is filed with the jury commissioner or who makes such a request in writing after being qualified and summoned shall be exempt from serving on grand and petit juries.

24. Will my employer allow me to take time off for jury service?

Your employer is required by law to allow you to report for jury service. You cannot be fired, lose pay, made to use sick leave or vacation, or be punished in any way. Your employer is required by state law to pay your regular shift pay for the time you are at jury service.

25. What if I need a statement to show my employer the days I served on jury duty?

You may obtain a statement at the end of your jury service from the Jury Commissioner's Office. You can also email your request to jury@sarpy.gov.

26. What do I wear for jury service?

Our judges suggest an outfit that is comfortable and presentable, which means attire ranging from business casual to casual Friday. If you wear a uniform to work and will not have time to change before reporting for jury service, your uniform is appropriate attire.