About Jury Service
Jury service — often referred to as "jury duty" — is one of the most important civic duties you can perform as a citizen of the United States. The protection of our rights and liberties is largely achieved through the teamwork of judge and jury, who together put into practice the principles of our great heritage of freedom.
The Alabama Middle District is committed to making your jury service experience as smooth and well-informed as possible. When you are randomly selected as a prospective juror, you and others who have been selected represent a cross-section of the citizens of the Alabama Middle District, and your service is vital to our system of justice.
Though we recognize that jury service is not always convenient, the Alabama Middle District appreciates your participation.
We have included handbooks you may wish to review, videos to watch that may help you understand the process you are about to undertake, and copies of the letter you have received with your notification of selection of service.
Serving as a juror
Your role as a juror is an important part of the American system of justice. The protection of our rights and liberties is largely achieved through the teamwork of judge and jury who, working together in a common effort, put into practice the principles of our great heritage of freedom.
The judge determines the law to be applied in the case while the jury decides the facts. Thus, in a very important way, jurors become a part of the court itself.
Please know how much we value your willingness to participate in jury service in the Alabama Middle District.
As part of the American system of justice, we rely on citizens just like you to carry out our responsibilities. In fact, jury service is so important that it is part of the history of this country and the U.S. Constitution itself. Citizens who have been charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty. When these individuals put their liberty in the hands of a criminal judicial proceeding, they have a right to a trial by a jury of their peers. As a juror, you are among the small group of people who provide that right for your fellow citizen.
Juries are also needed in civil cases where the disputes between parties don’t involve the criminal justice system. The Alabama Middle District conducts both criminal and civil trials. Both types of trials (and everyone affected by their resolution) are dependent on people like you who willingly participate in jury service. On behalf of all involved in our proceedings, we appreciate your service.