Jury Information
Juror News
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The Madera County Superior Court is pleased to announce the introduction of the JuryMinder system. JuryMinder allows jurors to opt in and receive text messages that provide helpful reminders about their upcoming jury service. The text messages also contain links that go directly to the court's web portal where jurors can complete their registration before reporting to court, which saves valuable time. For more information, please contact the Jury Division.
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Click Here for Information about a Jury Duty Scam (As of 12.26.2023)
Juror Basics
All U.S. Citizens who are over the age of 18, a resident of the county that issued the jury summons, and able to understand the English language are eligible to serve on a jury in the State of California. Of these people, only convicted felons falling in certain categories (as noted in Senate Bill 310, effective January 1, 2020) cannot serve. Failure to appear as summoned could result in a $1,500.00 fine, a jail sentence and other legal consequences.
Request Postponement or to Be Excused
Jury Trials are held at the following Court locations only:
Hours
- Courts normally begin their jury trials each morning at 9:30 AM.
- Recess for lunch between 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
- The End of the Day by 5:00 PM.
Once you have been assigned as a juror and sworn to hear the case, the court will instruct you as to what time you are to report and where.
Contact Us
Superior Court of California, County of Madera
Jury Division
200 South "G" Street
Madera, CA 93637
Automated Phone System: (559) 416-5570
FAX: (559) 675-7853
E-Mail: jury@madera.courts.ca.gov
Juror Questionnaires
Employment Verification
Work Certificates are available for your employer. They may be obtained from the jury staff at the completion of your 1st day of jury duty. Once a sworn juror, you may obtain a work certificate: daily, weekly or at the completion of your jury duty stay with us. If an employer requires a time in/time out work certificate, please notify the jury clerk upon checking in with us. Employees may request a work certificate by calling the automated phone system and following the prompts.
Jury Operations Division
Jury Staff is available to assist you during your service as a juror. The office is in the Main Courthouse and is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Jury Staff is available to assist sworn jurors beyond 3:00 p.m. as needed.
In addition to checking your jury service status via our automated phone system, you can also check it via our website by using our Inter Web Response:
Length of Service and Trial Duration
Plan on staying with us for the entire day.
In an effort to reduce the amount of time spent at the court for jury duty, we have a "One Trial, One Day" term of service. Your length of service may vary depending on the court to which you have been summoned. Prospective jurors who are summoned will be asked to call-in for reporting instructions and will follow this process over a one-week period, Monday through Thursday. Jurors who appear on a Tuesday or a Wednesday will be expected to stay with us for the entire day.
If assigned to a courtroom on the day you report for jury duty and released by the judge in that court, you may be required to enter another courtroom for jury selection. Once all trials have selected and jurors are no longer needed for that week, you should be released from jury service for a period of one-year. Jurors are instructed to call for reporting instructions after 5:30pm on the evening prior to their report date. The telephone number is pre-printed on your jury summons.
If your report date is a Tuesday, following a holiday you may call anytime throughout the weekend after 5:30 p.m. on Friday. You must have the badge number printed on your jury summons to access your reporting information using the automated phone system.
Dress Code and Code of Conduct
Jurors are asked to dress appropriately for a courtroom. Business or casual dress is acceptable-jeans and t-shirts are okay. Jurors are warned that temperatures in courtrooms can vary widely (both cold and hot) and are encouraged to dress appropriately. SHORTS AND TANK TOPS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN COURTROOMS. Wearing shorts or tank tops will not be used as a basis for excusing jurors. However, the judge may order that the prospective juror wear appropriate clothing if they must return for further service. Please use good judgment on articles of clothing. During the orientation process, you will be notified that all cellular phones and pagers be silenced upon entering the courtroom. The orientation is a requirement of state law and must be given to all prospective jurors. In the courtroom, please be alert and courteous. Do not leave the courtroom unless there is an emergency and the bailiff has been informed. Please clear any medically necessary food or drink with the bailiff before entering the courtroom. You may be asked to leave the courtroom to take care of such situations. Reading material and handiwork may only be used while court is not in session.
Jury Fees
California state law, jurors are paid $15.00 per day starting the second day of service. Mileage is paid at $.34 per mile one way from your legal residence to the courthouse starting with the second day of service.
As of August 16, 2004, legislation was signed concerning Juror Pay for Governmental Employees.
The Civil Code of Procedure Section 215 provides:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), on and after July 1, 2000, the fee for jurors in the superior court, in civil and criminal cases, is fifteen dollars ($15) a day for each days attendance as a juror after the first day.
(b) A juror who is employed by a federal, state or local government entity or by any other public entity as defined in Section 481.200, and who receives regular compensation and benefits while performing jury service, may not be paid the fee described in subdivision (a).
(c) All jurors for the Superior Court, in civil and criminal cases shall be reimbursed for mileage at the rate of thirty-four ($.34) per mile for each mile actually traveled in attending and returning from court as a juror after the first day.
Code of Civil Procedure Section 481.200 provides:
"Public entity" includes the state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, a city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
Security
SECURITY INFORMATION: All persons, packages and bags entering the Madera Superior Court are screened for weapons and contraband. All prospective jurors are required to go through the metal detectors. Jurors are encouraged to leave any questionable items at home or in their vehicles. NO WEAPONS, PEPPER SPRAYS of any kind, NEEDLES, SCISSORS, TWEEZERS, METAL NAIL FILES, nor any hot/cold liquids will be allowed thru security, with the exception of bottled water. Any object that is questionable will be confiscated by Security upon your entrance to the courthouse and WILL NOT be returned to you.
Notice to Employees and Employers
JOB and SCHOOL: You are notified, as require by law, that Labor Code section 230 states that no employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury if such employee, prior to taking such time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer that he/she is required to serve. The court advises qualified jurors to notify their employers upon receipt of this summons. This is the law. The California Education Code (§44037 and 8 7036) and Rule of Court 5.5(d)(7) protect teachers, other school employees, and students. If you are harassed or fired, contact your local jury office or the judge assigned to your trial.