Chatham 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 lengthy cases are to be tried. Prospective jurors are summoned for a specific day of the week and, if selected to serve on a jury, will usually serve the duration of a trial. Please note that jury selection itself may last multiple days.
Hours of Service
The typical juror's day will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasionally, other hours are required by the court during trial, but this is rare.
When and Where to Report
Jurors must call the jury information line at (919) 545-3505 after 5:00 p.m. on the evening before their date of service to receive instructions on if and when they are to report. If scheduled to report, all jurors report to the Jury Assembly Room on the third floor of the Chatham County Justice Center located at 40 East Chatham Street in Pittsboro.
When jurors report to the Justice Center, they will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. Court staff will also provide additional information and administer an oath. Jurors selected to serve on a trial will be given instructions from the presiding judge in addition to a juror badge to wear until they are released from their jury service.
Request for Jury Service Excuse or Deferral
To request an excusal or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below OR mail at the address provided below. 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).
The following information is required to be submitted with your request to be excused:
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, please provide a copy of your visa or green card.
- If you are not a resident of this County, please provide a copy of your driver’s license.
- If you are a full-time student at an out-of-state institution, please provide a copy of your schedule.
- If you are on military assignment, please provide a copy of your orders.
Mail requests can be submitted to:
Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court
ATTN: Jury Clerk
40 E. Chatham Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM may be completed in lieu of the mail-in option. The electronic form must be submitted a minimum of ten (10) days prior to your report date.
Read more and submit the online form
Questions
Questions regarding jury service in Chatham County may directed to the Jury Clerk at [email protected] or 919-545-3505 during business hours.