Sampson County Jury Service

Find information about jury service in this county.

Find local administrative orders and rules

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 should call the clerk's office at (910) 596-6605 as instructed by the jury summons delivered by U.S. mail to determine when and where to report for jury service. If you have to report to serve you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror.

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 supporting documentation (instructions are included on the summons document). Mail requests can be submitted to:

Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court
ATTN: Jury Clerk
101 East Main Street
Clinton, NC 28328

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 Sampson 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 Sampson County, North Carolina Resident – proof of address is required
Person is deceased
Students enrolled full time in a learning institution – proof to include class schedule is required
Health/Medical reasons – a note from your physician is required
Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored – date and county of conviction must be provided
Not a United States Citizen – a copy of your visa or green card must be provided
On assignment with the military – please provide a copy of your orders

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 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 response to an excusal request, you are still required to appear for jury service if your juror number is called.