You have jury duty — now what?

You have received a jury summons. If you haven’t previously been involved in the process, it may seem daunting or maybe just simply inconvenient. Jury service is an extremely important civic duty, and we hope that this article might provide some guidance to help alleviate those concerns.

Jury service in Colorado uses a one-day/one-trial system. This means that, in each calendar year, persons summoned for jury service must serve only one day or, if selected for a trial, for the length of that trial. Most trials last only one day.

The Colorado Judicial Branch receives lists of names for each county including registered voter records, drivers’ licenses, nondriver IDs and state income tax records. Approximately four weeks before a scheduled trial, the jury commissioner submits a request for a “jury pool” from the individuals in this database.

A group of individuals is randomly selected and mailed a summons to appear. The summons provides information on when to report to the court, how to ask for a postponement of your service and what to do if you believe you received the summons by mistake.

If you already have plans on that date, you do have the right to one postponement. You can request a postponement by completing the postponement section of your paper summons and emailing or mailing it to the jury commissioner, by completing the postponement request online through your county’s homepage (www.courts.state.co.us/Jury/County/Index.cfm?County_ID=41) or by contacting your jury commissioner.

Requesting a postponement must be completed prior to the day of the trial.

Be sure to make arrangements beforehand for child care (you can’t bring kids with you for this), to have time off from work (court staff can help you get a certificate of service to show your employer) and other matters. While requesting time off work may be a concern, Colorado law prohibits an employer from denying the time off or interfering with the juror service.

On arriving, you will need to go through security screening similar to what you experience at an airport, so plan for that as well. Cellphones and other electronics are not allowed in the courtroom for security purposes.  

Once you check in, you will be seated in the courtroom and a video will be played to describe what happens during a trial. The judge will then explain the reason for the trial and discuss qualifications for jury service.

A group of individuals is then randomly called to the jury box for individual questioning. The judge and attorneys will ask questions to the jurors in the jury box. The point is to ensure you are qualified to serve and that you can do so in a fair and impartial manner.

Some jurors prefer to discuss personal answers out of the hearing of the remaining jurors. Those requests are respected and accommodated.

The attorneys then have the opportunity to dismiss prospective jurors as they work toward seating the jury.

Generally, six people serve on a county court jury, while 12 serve on a district court jury in a criminal matter.

Once selection has been completed, all remaining jurors are thanked for their service and are allowed to leave for the day. Their service for the year is complete.

The selected jurors will hear opening statements, listen to the evidence presented at trial, be given the law to apply during their deliberations and finally listen to closing arguments.

The jurors then deliberate about the case in private. Once the verdict is read, the service of the jurors is complete. The jurors do not play any role in deciding the proper sentence or punishment in the event the defendant is convicted of the crimes charged.

Most trials are open to the public. If you have concerns about participating on your summoned court date, you are welcome to view a trial in advance of your service.

It is important to know that jury service is compulsory. While there has been little need for enforcement of the jury summons in the past, we are experiencing more and more trials being set.

With a limited jury pool, failure of jurors to report becomes a problem in providing participants with their constitutional right to a trial. We have experienced roughly 80% attendance rates.

As the pool becomes smaller, jurors who fail to obey a jury summons may be required to go before a judge to explain his or her conduct.  

Many more details about jury service are available on the Colorado Court’s juror webpage www.courts.state.co.us/jury, and you can always contact your jury commissioner, Lisa Ault, at 970-854-3279 if you can’t find the answer.

Whether you’re chosen to serve as a juror or are dismissed, the Colorado Judicial Department hopes your experience is positive and meaningful.