State Jury Service
What if a prospective juror fails to appear when summoned to jury service?
The court will order a person who fails to appear when summoned to explain the reason for failing to
comply with the summons. If the person does not show good cause, the person is guilty of a
misdemeanor. It is also a misdemeanor to complete a jury qualification questionnaire or willfully
misrepresent a material fact on the questionnaire for purposes of securing or avoiding jury service.
Are jurors compensated for time spent on jury duty?
Jurors receive compensation for travel, and for their required attendance. Jurors may request child care
and parking expenses. The Minnesota Supreme Court determines compensation rates and, as of 2019,
jurors receive $20 a day and $.54 per mile for a round trip from their homes to the courthouse.
Are employers required to give employees time off for jury service?
Employers cannot fire or otherwise coerce an employee because the employee receives a jury
summons, attends court as a prospective juror, or serves as a juror. An employer who violates this
provision faces a charge of criminal contempt, as well as a fine of up to $700 and/or six months’
imprisonment. A discharged employee may also bring a civil action against the former employer for the
recovery of lost wages and for an order requiring reinstatement. The employee has 30 days to bring a
civil action. The court must award reasonable attorney’s fees to a prevailing employee. Employers are
not required to pay an employee while on jury leave.
How long is the term of jury service?
The time that a person is called upon to perform or be available for jury service varies by county. In
counties with a population of 100,000 or more, a term of service must not exceed two weeks or the
completion of one trial, whichever is longer. In counties with a population of less than 100,000, the
maximum term of service ranges from two to four months; however, service ends after the person has
reported to the courthouse for ten days or after the completion of a trial, whichever is longer.
What is the difference between a petit jury and a grand jury?
There are two types of juries: petit and grand. Petit (trial) juries consist of six to 12 people who hear
evidence and issue verdicts in civil or criminal trials. In contrast, a grand jury determines whether
probable cause exists to believe a person committed an offense and the person should be charged.
Grand juries issue charges through an indictment, a written accusation similar to a complaint issued by a
prosecutor. The grand jury consists of 16 to 23 people and may find an indictment only upon the
concurrence of 12 or more jurors. Offenses that may be punished by life imprisonment must be
prosecuted by indictment.
What is the process for selecting juries?
Voir dire (“vwhar deer”) is the jury selection process; its purpose is to produce a qualified and impartial
jury. The parties may examine prospective jurors to discover grounds to challenge (and dismiss) a
prospective juror. Jurors may be challenged for cause because of bias, prejudice, or having a relationship
to or with the defendant, victim, or an attorney in the case. Parties may also use a limited number of
peremptory challenges to dismiss prospective jurors without giving a reason. A peremptory challenge
cannot be used on the basis of race or gender.
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