Bladen County Jury Service
Length of Service Jurors are typically summoned for a one-week session. Occasionally, jurors may be summoned for multi-week sessions when complex and / or lengthy matters are to be tried. Jurors can and often do serve on more than one trial. Jurors are obligated to the court for the entire week's session of court, until excused by the presiding judge.
When and Where to Report
Jurors must call the phone number for the jury line that they received in the mail to determine exactly when and where they are to report for jury service. The message will provide jurors with all the information needed for the duration of their service.
Jurors are to report to the jury lounge located on the second floor of the courthouse.
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 ten (10) 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:
Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court
ATTN: Jury Clerk
PO Box 2619
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail option. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of ten (10) 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. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Persons qualified to serve must:
- Reside in Bladen 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 Bladen 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 ten (10) days prior to your jury service date.
Until you have received a response from the District Court Judge’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 response to an excusal request, you are still required to appear for jury service if your juror number is called.