Superior Court I

“Jury Service is one of the highest duties of citizenship, for by it the citizen participates in the administration of justice…” Former Chief Justice of the United States-Honorable Harlan F. Stone

If you have questions about jury duty you may contact the Court during regular business hours and speak with the Bailiff, Ms. Kay Cox. The telephone number is 765-482-0450.

Frequently Asked Questions

I just received a letter from Judge Kincaid requiring me to fill out and return a juror questionnaire. What does this mean?

You may be sent a letter from Judge Kincaid requiring you to fill out and return a juror questionnaire. Each quarter approximately 300 – 450 such letters and questionnaires are sent out. Please return them promptly. Your name will be placed on the list of potential jurors during the particular 90-day period. You may or may not be required to appear in Boone Superior Court I as a potential juror sometime during the 90-day period. Most likely if required to appear it would only be one time. You will be given at least 7 days advance notice of any given trial date in which you are required to appear.

What happens if I am selected as a prospective juror for a particular case during my 90-day period?

(The following is a sample letter and information sheet that you will receive if you are selected as a prospective juror for a particular case. You will be provided more information when you arrive at the courthouse.)

Dear Prospective Juror:

As you may recall, we wrote to you last winter to advise you of the possibility that you may be called for jury service during the second quarter (April-June) of this year. Today, we are writing to inform you that you have been selected as a prospective Juror for a jury trial scheduled to commence on _______________ date and time in Boone Superior Court I. The Court is located at the Boone County courthouse (third floor) on the square in downtown Lebanon, Indiana. You must come to Court on this date and time to fulfill your jury service.

You may be aware that once there were a number of exemptions for jury service including those over 65 years of age. The legislature recently did away with those exemptions. However, if you are a senior citizen and have difficulty in moving about or other hardship issues, please contact the bailiff, Kay Cox, to explain your situation. The Court may excuse your attendance.

Enclosed you will find JUROR INFORMATION MATERIALS which hopefully will answer many of your questions. You have also been sent a temporary parking pass for your automobile which you will need to display in your windshield. When you arrive on the third floor, please check in immediately with the Superior Court I Bailiff. Once all Jurors are assembled, the Court Bailiff will give you a short overview. Following the Bailiff’s presentation, the Court will be called to order and the presiding Judge will give you additional information and instructions. During the jury selection process, you will be seated in the courtroom until such time as you are either selected as a Juror or released. We anticipate that you will know whether you have been selected as a Juror by Noon. If you need an excuse form to take to your place of employment, the Court staff will provide you such. (Please note that it is a class B misdemeanor for an employer to dismiss an employee, deprive an employee of employment benefits or threaten such a dismissal or deprivation because the employee complies with a summons for jury service.

We understand your time is valuable. We will take all necessary steps to minimize the inconvenience to you. At this time, I fully expect to need your services as a prospective juror. However, trials may be cancelled or postponed on fairly short notice for any number of reasons. You may call (765) 483-5748 after 5:30 p.m. the night before your date of service to hear a recorded message to update you on the status of this trial.

Thank you in advance for doing your part to protect the sacred constitutional right to trial by jury.

Sincerely,

Matthew C. Kincaid

Judge

Boone Superior Court I

How long will I have to serve?

Most trials last 2-3 days. Depending on the complexity they can be shorter or longer. In the past few years, the longest trial lasted 8 days.

JUROR INFORMATION HANDOUT

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS IT IS RELEVANT TO YOUR JURY DUTY:

I. Directions to the Courthouse

The courthouse is located in downtown Lebanon, Indiana, on the Square. If you are traveling from Southern Boone County (i.e. Zionsville area) you may travel I-65 North to the Lebanon (St.Rd. 39 N Exit). This exit will take you directly to the Courthouse.

 

II. Parking

 

Parking for jurors is available around the Courthouse Square and along side streets. Parking is restricted; however, you will be given a parking pass so that you will not be ticketed. Please be sure to ask for you parking pass.

 

III. Public Transportation

 

Boone Area Transit System may be able to provide public transportation for a reasonable fee (currently $3.00 – $5.00) within Boone County. They can be reached at 765-482-5220 or 317-873-8939. Availability however, is on a first come first served basis. See, [email protected]. Taxi service is available.

 

IV. Compensation

 

Boone County provides compensation for jurors for their service. Currently, the rate for jury service is $15.00 per day (or any portion thereof) as a prospective juror, and if you are selected the rate of compensation is $40.00 per day (or any portion thereof). Mileage is paid at 30 cents per mile.

 

V. Attire

 

Dress appropriately for being in a Courtroom. Business casual attire is appropriate. Do not report wearing muscle shirts, cutoff shorts, hats, or any attire which is inappropriate for the Courtroom. No gum or chewing tobacco is allowed in the Courtroom. While in the Courtroom, you must turn off all pagers and cell phones. Please do not conduct a cell phone conversation in the Courtroom.

 

VI. Meals

 

Jurors should be advised that the Court provides all of your necessary meals, at no cost to you. If you have special dietary needs, please advise the Bailiff at your first opportunity.

 

VII. Auxiliary Aids & Services

 

If you are in need of special assistance, hearing assistance devices or have special needs please advise the Bailiff at your earliest opportunity.

 

VIII. Juror Exemption

 

You are exempt from jury service if you have completed a term of jury service (that means you were actually selected and served as a juror) within the year proceeding the date of the summons. If you believe you are exempt please contact the Superior Court I Bailiff as soon as possible to claim your exemption. The Judge will make final determination in accordance with the applicable Jury Rules. The Bailiff cannot exempt you from Jury service.

 

IX. Juror Disqualification

 

There are a few factors that may disqualify you from serving as a juror. These factors are: 1) you are not a citizen of the U.S.; 2) you are not at least 18 years of age; 3) you are not a resident of Boone County; 4) you are not able to read, speak, and understand the English language; 5) you are suffering from a physical or mental disabiliity that prevents you from rendering satisfactory jury service; 6) you are under a guardianship appointment because of mental incapacity; 7) you have lost your right to vote due to a felony conviction; or 8) you are a law enforcement officer and this is a criminal case. If you believe you are not qualified to serve as a juror, we can fax or mail to you the appropriate documentation to return to us. The Judge will make the final determination. The Bailiff cannot excuse you from Jury service.

 

X. Extreme Inconvenience-Request for Deferral

 

If you believe you are unable to serve as a juror due to undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity, you should contact the Bailiff and we will provide you with the necessary documentation to submit to the Judge for his consideration. Very few circumstances justify your being excused from Jury Service. The Judge will make the final determination in accordance with the Jury Rules. You may still be required to appear in person to request your deferral so that the attorneys representing the parties may question you as to your Request for Deferral of Jury service. The Bailiff cannot release you from Jury Service.

 

XI. Juror Safety and Privacy

 

Personal information about you that is contained in your written responses to the Juror Qualification Form will not be released to persons other than the parties and their counsel. Your Qualification Form will remain confidential, consistent with their intended use and consistent with the constitutional and statutory rights of the parties.

 

XII. Introduction to the Case

 

Once the prospective jurors are seated, the Judge will provide you with an introduction of the proceedings. You will be:

 

Introduced to the participants

 

Informed as to the nature of the case

 

Informed as to the applicable standard or burden of proof

 

Informed as to the presumption of innocence in a criminal case

 

Informed as to the appropriate means by which jurors may address their private concerns

 

Informed as to the appropriate standard of juror conduct

 

Informed as to the anticipated course of the proceedings

 

Informed as to the rules regarding challenges to prospective jurors

 

Informed as to the number of jurors that will be selected for the particular case

 

Informed as to the anticipated length of the proceedings

 

XIII. Juror Trial Notebooks

 

If you are selected as a prospective juror, you may be given a Trial Notebook. It will be used by you to keep your notes, place given instructions, witness and exhibit lists and related information regarding the trial. At the conclusion of the trial, the Court will retain your Trial Notebook, but you may retain your notes.