Alamance County Jury Service
Length of Service
Jury service in Alamance County operates on the one-day / one-trial system. A new group of jurors are summoned each day of the week and, if selected to serve on a jury, a juror will serve for that day or for the duration of that trial. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, then their jury service will be over after that one day. If chosen for a jury trial that is completed before the end of the day, those jurors will return to the jury assembly area and may then be selected for service on another case. If not selected again, those jurors will be allowed to go home at the end of the day, having completed their jury service. Those jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day while the trial is in progress.
When and Where to Report
Each juror receives a jury summons by U.S mail. On that summons is information on the time and place to report for jury service.
The night before their service date, jurors should call the jury information line at (336) 570-5205. Jurors must call the number for the jury line anytime after 6:00 p.m. on the evening before the service date shown on their summons. A recorded message will inform jurors if their appearance will be required. This message will play the entire night until normal opening hours the following morning. Sometimes the court can release some or all jurors when the need for them is less than anticipated.
If scheduled to report, jurors should follow the instructions on the message for the specific location where they should report. When jurors report to the courthouse, they will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. Court staff will also give jurors additional information. All jurors present will be administered an oath. Jurors selected to serve on a trial will be given a juror badge to wear until they are released from jury service by the judge. Once a trial begins, the presiding judge will instruct jurors on their duties.
Additional Information
Jurors should dress professionally and comfortably, but not too casually. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording. Jurors will be acting as part of the court while serving, so dress appropriately. Layered clothing is recommended since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket.
For questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at (336) 570-5304 or [email protected].
Request for Jury Service Excuse or Deferral
General Information
Deferral/Excusal: To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below or Mail. Your request must be received no later than seven (7) days prior to your service date. A decision regarding your request will be returned via mail or email. Requests sent by MAIL must include the completed Application for Excuse, Deferral, Exemption, and Disqualification from Jury Service form and supporting documentation (instructions are included on the summons document). Mail requests can be submitted to:
Alamance County Jury Clerk
212 W. Elm Street
Graham, NC 27253
The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail option. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your appearance date. (Requirements and instructions are listed below.)
Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or Deferment
Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. For more information, view G.S. 9.6 about jury service and G.S. 9.6.1 about requests to be excused. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Persons qualified to serve must:
- Reside in Alamance County
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Understand the English language
- Have not served as a juror during the preceding two (2) years or as a grand juror in the past six (6) years
- Be physically and mentally competent
Exemptions, Excuses and Postponements may be granted for the following reasons:
- People 72 years of age or older
- NOT a Alamance County, North Carolina Resident
- Person is deceased
- Students enrolled full time in a learning institution
- Health/Medical reasons
- Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored
- Not a United States Citizen
- On assignment with the military
Excuses will be granted ONLY for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail. Your request CANNOT be handled by telephone. All requests must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your jury service date.
NOTE: Some decisions are made by the District Court Judge and some decisions are made by the Clerk of Superior Court on behalf of the District Court judge. All communication about these decisions will come from the Clerk of Superior Court Jury Clerk. View the Administrative Order.
Until you have received a response from the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office, you are still required to appear at the county courthouse for jury duty on the specified summons date if your juror number is called.
- If you do not receive a letter in the mail or email indicating the status of your request at least 24 hours prior to your assigned jury date, you must comply with all the instructions indicated on your jury summons.
- Users will receive a response via mail if the request is mailed in OR via email and mail if the request is from the online form.
- It is your responsibility to monitor your mail and email for a CONFIRMATION letter from the Clerk of Superior Court's Office to determine if your request has been approved or denied.
- For questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at (336) 570-5304 or [email protected].
If you DO NOT receive a response to an excusal request, you are still required to appear for jury service if your juror number is called.