Welcome to Jury Duty in the Polk County.
We will do all that we can to make you comfortable and answer any questions you might have as you fulfill this very important duty of your citizenship.
FAQ
How was I chosen as a juror?
Jurors are chosen at random from current lists of persons aged 18 or older, living in Polk County, Nebraska and are either registered voters or licensed drivers. Some people are chosen several times during their lifetime, others are never chosen.
If you are a registered voter or a licensed driver, you have the same chance of being chosen as someone else who meets those criteria.
What happens when I receive a qualification form and/or summons?
If you receive a qualifications form, you are required to complete the form and return it to this office. The information you provide on the form determines if you are a qualified juror. Once the Jury Commissioner gathers all the completed forms, she prepares the ‘qualified juror pool’. That pool is good for two years.
When a jury trial is scheduled, the Judge will direct the Jury Commissioner to randomly select a certain number of jurors from the qualified pool. The Jury Commissioner will send a Summons to the chosen jurors. The summoned jurors are required to appear for jury duty. If you receive a Jury Summons, please read it carefully and appear on the date and time listed on the Summons.
Cases scheduled for trial might be settled or continued prior to the day of trial. This office will provide you with notice as early as possible that you will not be required to appear.
How many people serve on a jury?
A jury consists of either 6 or 12 persons which will ultimately hear the trial. On occasion, one or two additional alternate jurors may also be selected, depending on the Court.
What can I expect on the day I report for jury duty?
When you report for jury duty, please check in at the Court’s office. The jury selection process will then commence. As a rule, the jury selection process will last through the morning. However, this might vary depending on the nature of the case being tried. After jury selection has been completed, those members of the panel who are not selected as jurors or alternates will be excused.
How long do most trials last?
Generally, trials average approximately 2 to 3 days to complete. Again, this is only a general rule of thumb, and the trial of any given case, may require more or less time to complete. During the jury selection process the judge will usually indicate an estimate as to the length of time expected to complete the trial.
Are there any circumstances for which I can be excused from jury duty?
A prospective juror is required by law to appear for jury duty on all dates summoned. However, the judge may excuse a juror only upon a showing of undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity. The judge will require strict proof of said undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity. Jurors are rarely excused because of work obligations. In this regard, our law provides that any person summoned for jury duty shall not be subject to discharge from employment, loss of pay, loss of sick leave, loss of vacation time, or any other form of penalty, because of his or her absence from employment due to jury duty. If you wish to request an excuse from jury duty, you must obtain and complete a written application for postponement of jury service from this office. The judge will then review your request and you will be advised of his/her decision.
Do I receive any compensation for jury duty?
Yes, you are compensated for jury duty. Please see the link below for current amounts. Compensation is listed under Miscellaneous: County and District Court, You will need to scroll to near the end of the webpage.
https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/rules/administrative-policies-schedules/filing-fees-and-court-costs
