Catawba County Jury Service

Find information about jury service in this county.

Jury service in Catawba County operates on a one-week system unless summoned for a special case. A new group of jurors are summoned each week and if selected to serve on a jury, a juror will serve for the length of that trial. If selected to serve on a trial that is completed before the end of the week, those jurors may return to the jury pool and may be selected for another case. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day during the trial.

The average trial length of service varies from one to five days or longer until released by the court.

Hours of Service

Jurors are expected to be available from Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the week in which they have been selected.

When and Where to Report

The night before your service date, jurors should call the jury information line at 828-695-6105 for a recorded message with reporting instructions. It is recommended you call two (2) hours before reporting time for any updates that may have occurred.

All jurors report to the Jury Assembly Room on the second floor of the Catawba County Justice Center five to ten minutes before scheduled time.

Jurors will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. Court staff will also give jurors additional information. Afterwards, 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.

Request for Jury Service Excuse or Deferral

To request an excuse or deferral from jury service, please use one of the options below:

Your request must be received no later than five (5) days prior to your service date.

The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail option. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of five (5) days prior to your appearance date. (Requirements and instructions are listed below.)

Reasons for Excusal or Deferral

Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. Persons qualified to serve must:

  • Reside in Catawba County
  • Be at least 18 years of age or older
  • Understand the English language
  • 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 Deferrals may be granted for the following reasons:

  • People 72 years of age or older
  • NOT a Catawba County, North Carolina Resident (Please attach proof – e.g., a copy of your driver's license or utility bill.)
  • Person is deceased
  • Students enrolled in a full-time learning institution (Please attach proof – e.g., a copy of your current class registration/transcript; a copy of student ID.)
  • Health/Medical reasons (Please attach physician's statement.)
  • Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored (See: Are My Civil Rights Restored for information on civil rights.)
  • Not a United States Citizen (Please attach proof – e.g., a copy of your visa or green card.)
  • On assignment with the military (Please attach a copy of your orders or military ID.)

Other excuses may be granted for reasons of compelling personal hardship. NO REQUEST OR DEFERRAL WILL BE GRANTED BY TELEPHONE.

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 you do not receive a letter in the mail 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.
  • It is your responsibility to monitor your mail for a CONFIRMATION letter from the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office to determine if your request has been approved or denied.

If you HAVE NOT received a response to an excusal/deferral request within 24 hours of your reported time, you may call the jury clerk at 828-695-6140 for confirmation. Jurors are still required to appear for jury service if no confirmation is received from jury clerk.

Read more and submit the online form

Additional Information

Jurors should dress professionally and comfortably, but not too casually. Many judges do not allow anyone to come into court wearing halter or tank tops, spaghetti strap tops, cut-off jeans, ripped jeans, shorts, 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.

Jurors may bring a book or other reading materials, crossword puzzles, laptops, or other materials to occupy their time.

While efforts will be made by the court to reduce delays in a trial and avoid long waiting periods, some waiting time should be anticipated while jurors are being interviewed to sit on a jury.

Jurors may bring their lunch. A breakroom with microwave and vending machines is located on the first floor of the Catawba County Justice Center.

Learn more about Jury Service