Iron County Trial Court
State of Michigan

2 S. Sixth Street, Suite 10
Crystal Falls, MI  49920-1413  
Fax: 906-875-0656

Juror Procedure

Welcome

Procedures | Information | Glossary

Welcome to the Iron County Trial Court jury system. Although you probably have misgivings, we want to assure you that your participation is the basis of our democratic system. Under the Constitution, a U.S. citizen is given certain rights; the right to a jury trial is one of those rights. We appreciate that you have made yourself available for possible selection as a juror.

You were selected at random from a list of Iron County residents who possess a driver's license and/or a personal identification card, in accordance with state law.

Jurors are important and necessary participants in our justice system. Legal disputes (cases) often will not actually go to trial (to be heard by a judge or jury), because citizens are prepared to participate as jurors - sitting and waiting in the jury room. A jury panel that is ready to hear a case can motivate all parties involved in a dispute to reassess their risks and claims.

You are asked to perform one of the highest duties that can be imposed on any citizen, and that is to sit in judgment of facts on cases which will resolve civil disputes or determine the guilt or innocence of persons charged with crimes.

As a juror, your function is to listen to the evidence produced during the trial and decide the case on its merits, applying the judge's instructions, as opposed to deciding the case on sympathy or prejudice.

Please understand, although most lawyers, prosecutors and judges are friendly folks, you may not have any private contact or conversations with them during the course of the trial.

It is the Court's hope that these few introductory remarks will serve to put you at ease. We trust and hope that you are sufficiently impressed with the importance of jury duty, and our democratic system.

Procedure - First Day

1. Roll Call - Please check in as you arrive

2. Await instructions

Call In Procedures

The Iron County jury system uses a telephone answering system to inform jurors if their services are required for a particular day. Please call the evening prior to the day you are to serve after 4:00 p.m., CST. The number you should call is provided in your jury summons.

When you call, a recording will advise you whether your panel should report the following day. PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR PANEL LETTER which is located on your summons in the upper right-hand corner under "PANEL".

Should you be selected for trial, you will follow the instructions of the judge presiding over the trial.

Information

ROLL CALL - is at 9:00 a.m. in the lobby of the second floor courtroom. In case of any family emergency or illness, please notify the Jury Administrator at (906) 875-0659.  If you need work slips for your employer, one will be processed for you at the end of each day.

COURT HOURS - are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PARKING - is available in the parking area behind the Courthouse.

COMPENSATION  - you will be paid a juror fee at the rate of $7.50 per half day plus round trip mileage between your home and the Iron County Courthouse at the rate of 36.5 cents per mile. You will receive a check approximately two (2) weeks after you have served. Checks are mailed to the address on your summons. If this address is incorrect, please notify the Jury Administrator at (906) 875-0659.

COFFEE, POP, SNACKS - coffee is provided in the Jury Room. Pop and/or snacks may be brought to the Jury Room, but no food or beverages are allowed in the courtrooms.

RESTROOMS - are located by the Jury Room.

EMERGENCY - in case of an emergency, you are to talk to the Bailiff for the judge assigned to the case. Your family may reach you by calling the Jury Administrator at (906) 875-0659.

DRESS - clothing such as: shorts, cut-offs, T-shirts, etc., are not recommended. Do not leave any valuables in the Jury Room.  YOU  SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS WITH YOU.

During Your Service

As long as you are serving as a juror, you cannot go into any courtrooms and listen to any case. You are very welcome to do so after your term of jury service is over. Never leave the Jury Room, except by instruction. You are not allowed to engage in conversation with any witness, party, attorney or prosecutor while serving as a juror.  If anyone tries to influence you outside the courtroom, you are to notify the judge hearing the case in question. You are not allowed to watch, read, listen or talk about anything regarding the cases in Iron County. You are not allowed to make an independent investigation, visit the scene, or ask questions of anyone about the case without the permission of the Court.

Your Right to Privacy

The information you provided when you filled out a juror questionnaire several months ago is confidential. The Juror Qualification Questionnaire cannot and will not be seen by any parties involved. The Juror Personal History is provided to counsel and parties during the jury selection process. Your address and phone numbers, however, have been excluded.  Your deliberations with the other jurors in a trial are expected to be confidential. If investigators or attorneys attempt to ask you about those deliberations, you are under no obligation to speak with them. During your jury term, if you are approached in this way, you should immediately inform the judge in the case. Even if you are excused before deliberation, you have a right to your privacy and have no duty to discuss the case with anyone. We will always do our best to protect your valuable right to privacy. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your right to privacy, please notify the judge in the case. Or, if you are not assigned to a case, please notify the Juror Administrator.

Glossary of Legal Terms

• Bench Trial  -  Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts.
  

• Burden of Proof  -  The responsibility of proving a point.
  

• Challenge for Cause  -  Objection to the seating of a particular juror for a stated reason. The judge has the discretion to deny the challenge.
  

• Charge to the Jury  -  The judge's instruction to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case.
  

• Civil  -  Non-criminal cases in which one private individual or business sues another to protect, enforce, or redress private or civil rights.
  

• Closing Arguments  -  The closing statement, by counsel, to the trier of facts after all parties have concluded their presentation of evidence.
  

• Defendant  -  In a civil case, the person being sued. In a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  

• Felony  -  A crime of a more grave nature than a misdemeanor, usually punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary for more than a year and/or substantial fines.
  

• Grand Jury  -  A body of persons sworn to inquire into crime and, if applicable, bring accusation against the suspected criminal(s).
  

• Hung Jury  -  A jury whose members cannot agree upon a verdict.
  

• Misdemeanor  -  A criminal offense considered less serious than a felony.
  

• Nolle Prosequi  -  Decision by a prosecutor not to go forward with charging a crime.
  

• Nolo Contendere  -  A plea of no contest.
  

• Opening Statement  -  The initial statement made by attorneys for each side, outlining the facts each intends to establish during the trial.
  

• Plaintiff  -  The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit, or the people of the state in a criminal case.
  

• Polling a Jury  -  The act, after a jury verdict has been announced, of asking jurors individually whether they agree with the verdict.
  

• Verdict  -  A conclusion, as to fact or law, that forms the basis for the court's judgment. 
  

• Voi Dire (to see, to say)  -  Process of questioning potential jurors so that each side may decide whether to accept or oppose individuals for jury service.