Serving on a jury fulfills a critical role in the American justice system. Jurors ensure that in both criminal and civil cases a fair trial is conducted, and citizens’ due process rights are upheld.
When you serve on a jury you will listen to the evidence presented by each side and come to a decision only after all the evidence has been given. Those who serve on a jury are also carefully selected to ensure that they are capable of being impartial as they hear the evidence, and do not have preexisting biases that would influence their judgement.
How do I become eligible for jury service?
In Utah, jurors first become eligible for jury service by having their name selected from driver’s license and voter registration records. Prospective jurors will then need to respond to a questionnaire ensuring they meet minimum requirements relating to age, citizenship, and residency. If you qualify you will be eligible for jury service for a set period of time, during which you may be informed by the court that you are “on call” to serve on a jury during the next week. You may inform your employer that you are on call for jury service, but will not need to take time off or go to the courthouse until instructed to do so.
Communication with the Court regarding jury service is generally done by mail. The Court will never ask for a fine payment over the phone, will never threaten you over the phone with arrest or jail time, and will never have the police contact you regarding a failure to appear for jury service. More information regarding jury service scams can be found on the Utah Court’s website at https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/services/juryroom/juryscam.html.