Jurors - General Information
The Constitution of the United States guarantees everyone the right to a trial by a jury of his/her peers, and therefore juries have a long standing tradition in American jurisprudence. The Superior Court Jury Administration Office is responsible for summoning Cobb County citizens to serve as jurors on petit and grand jury panels. Petit jurors can serve on either criminal or civil juries, while grand jurors hand down indictments in criminal actions and perform other types of investigatory functions.
In 2001, the Superior Court of Cobb County heard 146 jury trials. Although 6,102 reported for jury service, only 1,826 were actually chosen to sit on a jury. Those jurors chosen served an average of 3.3 days.
Jurors have been rewarded by the benefits of many recent innovations at the Superior Court. These innovations include the Internet e-mail service, which allows jurors to request a deferment of service by computer. With this system, the juror is able to find out whether his/her request has been granted within a day.
Another reward to the jurors is the renovated Jury Assembly Room. We have created productive work areas for those jurors who can't break away from the office. The work stations include computer terminals as well as modem lines for laptops, access to a fax machine and a number of telephones. We are always open to new ideas, if after visiting our jury room, you have any suggestions that may improve this facility, we would greatly appreciate the insight. We look forward to the opportunity to make your jury service as memorable as possible.
In January 1996 the Juror Donation Program was created. This program allows jurors to donate the fees that they would receive for their service to a variety of Cobb County community services. Jurors fees may benefit one of several services, such as; Animal Shelter, Parks and Recreation, Senior Services, Public Library, Cobb Tress or Focus on Forever. All fees that are donated by jurors through this program will go toward this program will go toward capital improvements to the specified service.
Juror Expectations
Petit Jurors will need to be here between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on the date that you have been summoned. You will be
checked in and given an orientation on the petit juror process and what will be expected of you. You will also need to call
the jury phone line, 770-528-1804, or
click here for online information to receive additional instructions at the end of
each day. If you have a conflict you may advise the attorneys in the courtroom.
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Rules of the Court
Georgia State Laws
Under Georgia State Law, exemptions are granted to the following properly documented persons:
- Persons who are permanently disabled either mentally or physically, will be excused upon receipt of proper documentation from their medical physician. The documentation must state a permanent disability exists to excuse you. A Medical Affidavit form is attached to summons for your convenience.
- Persons age 70 or older who do not wish to serve may file an affidavit requesting their name be removed from the jury list. An affidavit form is attached to summons for your convenience.
- Full-time students at a college, university, vocational school or other post-secondary school who request to be excused or deferred must provide documentation from their school registrar's office. This must be submitted at least two weeks prior to jury date.
- Any person who is a primary caregiver having active care and custody of a child six years of age or under who has no alternative child care available must sign an affidavit available online at http://sca.cobbcountyga.gov/juror_forms.htm.This must be submitted at least two weeks prior to jury date.
- If you are a primary teacher in a home you may request to be excused or deferred if you are in a home study program and have no reasonably available alternative teacher. Affidavit to complete is available at http://sca.cobbcountyga.gov/juror_forms.htm. This must be submitted two weeks prior to jury date.
- As a full time employee your employer may not discriminate against you in any manner due to your jury service. If you need a copy of the law, O.C.G.A..34-1-3(a) and O.C.G.A.. 34-1-3(b), you may contact our office at 770-528-1800, or you may contact your local law library.
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Deferment Requirements
By law jurors are permitted a maximum of one deferment. A deferment request must be made two weeks notice prior to your service
date. The deferment time frame is a maximum of eight weeks. For a longer deferment, the juror must have a doctor's letter or
medical affidavit with an expected recovery time. We require a written letter for our records as to why you would like a
deferment and when within the next eight weeks you would be available to serve. You may choose one of three ways;
fill out an "
Online Postponement Form", fax (770-528-1808), or you may send us a letter in the mail.
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Juror Donation Program
As a juror in Cobb County Superior Court, you have the unique opportunity to give even more back to your community through our Juror Fee Donation Program. By checking the appropriate box on the form you will be given, you can donate the fee you would normally receive for your jury service ($25.00 a day) to one of the designated areas within the county.
The money would go to capital improvement projects & operating purposes only. You will receive a certificate showing the amount you donated and to which area. Your donation is tax deductible.
One choice only can be made. Your choices will be: Cobb County Animal Shelter, Cobb Trees Program, Focus on Forever: A Marital Seminar, Cobb Parks & Recreation, Cobb Public Library System & Cobb Senior Services.
The donation program is totally optional.
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Holiday Schedule
|
Year: 2008
|
| New Year's Day |
January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Day |
January 21 |
| Good Friday |
March 21 |
| Memorial Day |
May 26 |
| Independence Day |
July 4 |
| Labor Day |
September 1 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday |
November 27- November 28 |
| Christmas Holiday |
December 25 - December 26 |
| New Year's Day |
January 1, 2009 |
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