Swain County Jury Service
Length of Service
A trial juror's service is normally one week. However, jurors may be put on telephone standby for any time that week when they are not required to be present in the courthouse. The average length of service, if selected to serve as a juror in a trial, is two days.
When and Where to Report
Jurors must call the jury line at 828-488-7405 after 5:30 p.m. the day before you are to be summoned to appear for instructions on the reporting date and time. Failure to call this number could result in an unnecessary appearance.
Report to the Swain County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room, which will be to your left when you enter the building.
You will park in the courthouse parking lot. The courthouse is equipped with ramps for disabled persons.
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 five (5) 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:
Swain County Clerk of Superior Court
ATTN: Jury Clerk
PO Box 1397
Bryson City, NC 28713
Contact: Jury Clerk at 828-488-7400 if there are any questions
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, 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 Swain 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 Swain 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 five (5) 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.