The right to trial by jury, among other rights, is a cornerstone of the American justice system. Although the Court recognizes jury duty may impose an inconvenience, if not a sacrifice, on many potential jurors, the right to trial by jury does not exist without your participation as a juror. For more information on jury duty, click on the hyperlinks or continue reading below.
In order to serve as a juror, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;
- Not be under interdiction or incapable of serving because of mental or physical infirmity (hearing loss alone does not render a person incompetent to serve as a juror).
- Not be under indictment for a felony nor have been convicted of a felony.
Jurors are randomly selected by computer based on voter registration and Department of Motor Vehicle lists. Qualification questionnaires are sent out to randomly selected recipicients. Once the jury commission determines you are qualified, your name is entered into a pool. It is from that pool that subpoenas for jury service are issued.
There are two kinds of juries: a petit jury and a grand jury. A petit jury hears and decides a case, criminal or civil, and renders a verdict. A grand jury is asked only to decide whether there is enough evidence to cause a person to be brought to trial. Blue subpoenas are issued for petit jury service while pink subpoenas are issued for grand jury service. Questions about grand jury service should be referred to the Office of the District Attorney.
You have received a subpoena instructing you to report on a certain date. You are required to report on the date and at the time indicated on the subpoena and thereafter that week pursuant to instructions of the court or jury coordinator. The Jury Room in St. Tammany Parish is on the third floor of the Justice Center. In Washington Parish, jurors should report to the main courtroom. If you are unavoidably late, please call (985) 809-5356 to advise us of your situation.
Failure to report for jury duty may result in the issuance of a contempt charge for which you may be punished by fine or imprisonment.
Unless otherwise indicated on your subpoena, you have been summoned to serve for one week. If you are selected for a trial, you will serve for the duration of that trial. Most trials last one to three days, though occasionally, a trial may last longer. With the unusual exception of capital cases, juries are dismissed every afternoon with instructions to report the following day. If it becomes necessary for a trial to continue into the evening, you will be given the opportunity to make arrangements for family, transportation, etc.
After you have completed your term of service, you will not be called again for two years.
You are expected to wear comfortable, respectful attire befitting court attendance. No shorts, hats, or flip-flops may be worn in the courtrooms. You may want to bring a sweater or jacket.
Please bring your subpoena with you. Reading and writing material, computers, headsets and cell phones are permitted. However, electronic devices must be turned off in courtrooms. Wireless internet is not available in the courthouse. Please bear in mind that you are subject to search upon entering the courthouse. Weapons and items perceived to be weapons will be confiscated. Pocket knives, scissors, etc. should be left at home or in your vehicle.
You are responsible for and are welcome to bring snacks or lunch, particularly if you have special dietary needs. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse. Coffee is provided in the Jury Pool Room, and vending machines with drinks and snacks are also available there.
You may claim an exemption from jury duty if you have served within the previous 2 years or if you are 70 years of age or older. If you wish to claim an exemption or are otherwise not qualified or unable to serve for the week indicated on your subpoena, you must make a written request to be excused by a judge. Letters may be mailed to Jury Coordinator, 22nd Judicial District Court, 701 N. Columbia St., Rm. 3182, Covington, LA 70433. Letters may also be faxed to (985) 809-5373 or e-mailed to jurypool@stpgov.org. These instructions apply for both St. Tammany and Washington Parish jurors. Those with travel plans must include copies of travel tickets and/or reservations, and those with medical problems must include a doctor's excuse.
Your employer is only required to pay you for your first day of jury service, although many employers pay their employees for the duration of their jury service. When requested we can provide documentation of your jury service.
An attendance fee of $25.00 is paid for each day you are required to and do report for jury duty, whether or not you are selected for a trial. You may also be paid $0.13/mile round trip to the courthouse in reimbursement for your travel expense. The court uses a mileage chart to determine your mileage. These provisions are established by state law and are not determined by this court. A check for your attendance is issued within 5 to 6 weeks of your jury service.
See the "Directions and Maps" section of this website on the location of the St. Tammany Justice Center and the Washington Parish Court house. In Covington, parking is available in a lot across Jefferson Avenue from the Justice Center and on the streets surrounding the Justice Center. Please be careful to park your vehicle entirely on the shoulder of Covington streets, and not in any way on the paved portion of the streets as parking regulations are strictly enforced by Covington Police Department. In Franklinton, parking is available on the streets surrounding the courthouse. Visitors with disabilities are accomodated at both courthouses with specially designated parking immediately adjacent to the entrances of the courthouses. In Covington, handicap accessible parking is available at the south entrance. In Franklinton, handicap parking is available on Main Street.
If you need to be reached, you may be contacted by cell phone unless you are in a courtroom. Messages can be left at (985) 809-5356.