The following information is based on answer to question frequently asked by jurors:
Every resident of the Columbia County who is a United States Citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to understand English is qualified to serve as a juror unless he/she has been convicted of a felony and has not has their civil rights restored.
Your service as a juror is an indispensable and integral part of ensuring each individual’s right to a fair and impartial trial. In fact, the right to a trial by jury is the cornerstone of our country’s justice system.
Jury duty is one of the highest forms of public service that any American can perform. It is vital that you appear for your jury service.
PERIOD OF SERVICE
Do I have to serve? Yes--in most instances. The law requires all qualified individuals be available to serve as jurors. No person who is qualified and able to serve may be excluded on the basis of age, disability, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, income, ancestry or physical condition.
The court may excuse or defer a person from jury service if the court determines the person cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a juror at this time or would entail undue hardship, serious obstruction or delay of justice. An inconvenience to your every day schedule is not an undue hardship. No profession is exempt. Your profession regardless of what it is, is not a valid reason to be excused from jury duty.
Jury duty it a civic duty. Employers must grant a leave of absence for jury service per Wisconsin Statute 756.255. Please contact your employer as soon as you receive your summons.
There are no provisions for child care while you serve as a juror. Please make advance arrangements for any child care needs you may have.
Accommodations are available to nursing mothers or a postponement may be requested.
To be excused for medical reasons, please send a note from your provider stating how this will prevent you from serving, how long the condition is expected to last, or any additional information that may be helpful to the Court in making a determination. If the excusal note is too vague, it is likely it will be denied.
How Long Do I Serve? You will be on a jury panel for a one-month period. During the month, you are eligible to serve no more than five days during your one-month service period unless a trial requires more days. Jurors are randomly drawn and selected for a specific tria date(s)l. A jury summons will be sent by mailed with the date(s) and time for you to report. After you have completed your service for an entire month, you have fulfilled jury duty service for at least 4 years.
JUROR QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaires must be completed and returned to the Columbia County Clerk of Court within 10 days. Electronic Juror Questionnaires can be accessed using the following link:
https://juror.wicourts.gov/juror-qualification-questionnaire/search (You will need your juror id to access the questionnaire on-line)
WHEN TO REPORT FOR JURY DUTY
You will receive a monthly summons in the mail about two months in advance of the month you’ve been selected to serve. There will be a due date to submit any excusal or postponement requests to the Court.
Shortly after that due date, you will receive summons for the specific dates you have been selected to serve that month.
Please note: you most likely will receive multiple summons with different dates throughout the month. You must make yourself available to serve on all those dates although many trials settle beforehand.
Columbia County uses a voicemail recording system to let jurors know when they need to report for jury duty. On the night before you are assigned, call (608) 742-9600 after 4:45 PM to find out if you need to report for jury duty the following day.
If you authorized the Court to send you emails and text messages, you should receive a reminder the afternoon before you are to report for jury duty.
Wach the Juror Orientation Video: https://www.wicourts.gov/services/juror/general.htm
Failure to appear can result in the court imposing penalties under Wis. Stat. §756.30.
EXCUSALS OR POSTPONEMENTS
Requests for postponement or excusal must be made in writing to the Jury Clerk by the due date stated in your monthly summons letter. After Summons have been mailed, only a medical emergency will be excused. The juror id Number should be included in all correspondence.
The requests for excusal or postponement should be sent to: Columbia.Jury@wicourts.gov
ILLNESS OR EMERGENCY
Jurors may call the jury clerk’s number after 8:00 AM to report their illness or emergency. Any proof or follow-up can also be sent to the Jury Email: Columbia.Jury@wicourts.gov
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It is very important not to discuss any case with your fellow jurors, friends or even members of your family.
Cell phones, computers and other electronic devices are not to be used in the courtrooms or deliberation rooms. The clerk will inform you when you may use them in the Jury Assembly area. All electronics must be off during your visit. Jurors coming to the courthouse will go through metal detectors when entering the building. Leave sharp objects at home (including pocket knives, scissors, fingernail clippers, metal nail files, wallet chains, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and pepper spray).
The court will make every effort to limit the amount of time you will wait. However, there are instances when you will have to wait prior to the being escorted to a courtroom for jury selection. Please feel free to bring reading material. Restrooms are located in the Jury Assembly Area.
HOW JURORS ARE SELECTED
Jurors are randomly selected from the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver’s license and identification lists. It is important to keep your address with the DMV current to ensure that a juror summons and questionnaire reaches you.
Lunch Break
Lunch will be provided for members slelected to be on a jury. If you have restricted dietery needs or food allergies, we recommend you bring your own lunch/snacks.
PARKING
You may park in the River Haven lot across from the Courthouse on Dewitt Street or utilize the public parking lot on the side of the Courthouse on W Conant Street. Street parking is not recommended as jury service may take longer than the 2-hour maximum.
JUROR REIMBURSEMENT
You will be paid $20 per day for appearing for jury duty. You will also be paid $0.51 per mile, round-trip, for the date of service, as set by the County Board.
You will receive one check after your month of service is completed. Usually 3-4 weeks following the month of service.
ADA ACCOMMODATION
For prospective jurors who require an ADA accommodation to fulfill jury duty, plesae contact the jury clerk at (608) 742-9624 or email Columbia.Jury@wicourts.gov
THANK YOU! We wish to thank you. Jury service is frequently overlooked confribution to the funcitonin of our legal system. We fully appreciate your commitment in time and effort in facing comple and difficult problems. We sincerely thank you for efforst and service.
Contact Information:
Julie Kayartz, Clerk of Circuit Court
Brandy Langsdorf, Jury Clerk
Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Mailing Address:
Columbia County Clerk of Courts
PO Box 587
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608) 742-9624
Fax: (608) 742-9601