Jury Duty
Jurors are called upon to try two types of cases -- civil and criminal. A juror will not know which type of case they will be serving on and it may change from one day to the next. Civil cases are usually disputes between two or more parties concerning monies, damages for injures, or property. Criminal Cases are filed in the name of the State of Mississippi on an indictment returned by the Grand Jury. Because crime is a violation of the laws of the State there are laws which provide specific punishment for the guilty.Once you are called upon to serve you MUST CALL the number designated on your jury summons the night before (after 5:00 p.m.) you are summoned to court and each night thereafter. One of the following numbers will be highlighted on our jury summons:
| Circuit Court | 601-649-3843 |
| County Court | 601-425-7150 |
Becoming a Juror--
Qualifications:
- 21+ years of age
- Can read and write
- NOT a convicted felon, habitual drunkard,
or common gambler
- Has not been convicted of the illegal sale
of (or does not have interest in) alcoholic beverages in the last five
years
- Does not have a case pending in this court
Selection of Prospective Jurors: Prospective jurors' names are selected by a computer at random from a jury wheel. Therefore, an individual may never be called to serve and others may be called several times.
Excuses from Jury Service: All citizens are obligated to take part in seeing that justice is done and our form of government "by the people" is to endure. Therefore, only legal excuses provided by law should be presented. In general these include:
- Illness
- Personal hardship
- Emergency
- Served on jury duty (on actual trial of a
case) in this court in last two (2) years
- Over the age of 65 years and you desire to claim this personal exemption
Jury service is not only a privilege and a high honor, it is also the duty of every adult citizen who has been adjudged competent and legally qualified. Therefore, it is requested that you not embarrass yourself, the Circuit Clerk, Judge or other officer of the Court by offering excuses except in open Court on the date you have been summoned to report. You are assured that every excuse will be carefully considered by the Court and the same will be honored, if permitted under the law.
Compensation: A
juror is paid a nominal fee by a pay warrant for their services. The Circuit
Clerk keeps a daily record of the jurors who serve.