In case you have never been a juror before you may have questions about what happens in the courtroom and about your role as a juror. Many Frequently Asked Questions as well as assistance in completing your Juror Qualification Questionnaire are listed on this site. If your questions are not answered on our website remember you may contact the Jury Clerk at (269)-983-7111 ext. 8231, by calling the Juror Information line at (269) 982-8648, or by e-mail Clerk@berriencounty.org.

To reach the Courthouse from:

Buchanan or Niles - (269) 684-5274
Galien - 695-3887
Three Oaks, New Buffalo, Lakeside or Union Pier - 756-9571
Bridgman, New Troy or Sawyer - 465-5373

• Driver's licenses or State Identification cards (provided by the Secretary of States office)
• Names are chosen at random
• Qualifications of a juror (age, citizenship, etc.)

Acceptable reasons for having your jury service deferred or excused:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Phone # (269) 982-8648
• Fax # (269)-982-8642

When you are required to report for jury duty, please do not plan on being anywhere else until approximately 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM.

Directions: Courthouse in St. Joseph: LINK TO MAP
(take the elevator to the second level; turn right upon exiting the elevator and watch the signs for the Jury Assembly Room.)

South County Courthouse in Niles: LINK to MAP
(upon entering the building, go to the District Court counter. There will be a sign-in sheet and you will then be directed to the appropriate waiting area.)
Directions to South County Courthouse: 983-7111 ext. 6010

Fees paid:

• First Half day $12.50 (if excused before 1:00 PM)
• First Full day $25.00
• Returning Half day $20.00 (if excused before 1:00 PM)
• Returning Full day $40.00
• After 5:30 pm (any day) $10.00
• Mileage $0.375 cents per mile
• Notification to employer available

• Westside of Courthouse in St. Joseph, Across from the Sheriff's Dept/Jail
• Niles
• To provide for the safety of all visitors and employees who use the Berrien County Courthouse, all individuals entering the courthouse will pass through metal detectors and are subject to search. Please be sure to allow extra time to pass through security.

• St. Joseph restaurants
• Niles restaurants - Coming Soon

• Use good judgment and dress conservatively, (slacks and shirt; skirt and blouse, dress or jeans in good condition... shorts or tank tops are inappropriate)
• Be aware that there are frequent breaks in the actual selection of jurors during the day so it may be a good idea to bring a book or something to occupy your time.

SAMPLE JURY QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE

Question 1: Do not answer this question if you are under 70 years of age. If you are over 70, you have a choice as to whether or not you want to serve. If you want to serve check yes and if you do not wish to serve, check no.

Question 2: You must be a citizen of the United States in order to serve. If you are not a citizen, check no and you will be excused.

Question 3: You must be a resident of Berrien County in order to serve. This means both your mailing address and residence must be in Berrien County. If you are a resident, but temporarily residing in another state during your quarter, please provide us with your temporary address. Examples would be wintering in Florida or going to college and living on campus.

Question 4: If you feel you are unable to understand the English language during everyday conversation, check no.

Question 5: If you have been convicted of a felony check yes, otherwise, check no.

Question 6: If you have a physical or mental disability that would affect your being able to serve, we must have a letter from your physician or disability certificate in order to excuse you. We cannot excuse you without a physician's letter or other proof. If your disability is permanent, have your physician state that on your excuse form.

Question 7: You can only serve as a juror once in a 12-month period. If you have served within the last 12 months, you will be excused. Please include a note with the month and year that you served so that we may verify and excuse you.

Juror Personal History Section of Questionnaire

Question 15A: Family members would include mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle or cousin.

Question 16: Have you ever sued or been sued by someone? If you sued an individual, check yes. If someone has sued you, check yes. If you were the victim of a crime, check yes. If you have testified as a witness, check yes. If you have checked yes to any of the above, please provide a brief explanation of the event.

Question 17: A felony is any criminal offense, which is punishable by more than one year of jail time.

Question 18: A misdemeanor is any criminal offense that is punishable by up to one year in jail. This does not include civil traffic violations.

Question 19: A correctional facility would consist of a jail, prison, halfway house or forensic center.

Question 20: If you have a special situation that we need to be aware of, please list in the space provided. This would include the need for wheelchair facilities, help for the hearing impaired, crutches, etc.

We have attempted to answer the most commonly asked questions regarding the juror personal history side of your questionnaire. If you have further questions, you may reach the jury clerk by calling (269) 983-7111 ext. 8231 or e-mailing Clerk@berriencounty.org

Jury Panel Letter

If you have received a jury panel letter, you are on-call for the coming month. You are assigned to the panel number indicated on the upper right hand side of your letter. Your letter will also indicate what dates you are on-call for. Please be sure that you call in the night before each date listed in your letter. An example would be if you are on-call for Tuesday and Wednesdays throughout the month, you would call in Monday night after 5:30 p.m. for Tuesday morning and you would call in Tuesday night after 5:30 p.m. for Wednesday morning. If you have a conflict with any date that you have been placed on-call for, you may be excused for one time during the month. Please contact the Jury Clerk to make those arrangements for that date. You can contact the jury clerk by calling (269) 983-7111 ext. 8231.

Jury Month

If you would like to make a change in the month you have been placed on call for, simply mark through the month indicated on your summons and write in the month you would like to serve. Your request for a change in month in which to serve must be received within ten days in order for the change to be made. Once you have marked the change on your summons, return your request in the envelope provided. If you have already returned your summons, please mail in or drop off a written request for the change. All requests to change your month of service must be submitted in writing and can either be mailed, dropped off, or sent by fax to (269) 982-8642.

Jury Summons

All requests to be excused from Jury Duty must be made in writing and submitted to the Jury Clerk. The Jury Clerk will then forward your request to the Judge for consideration. The Judge will consider your request and will make a determination regarding your particular situation. You are still on-call for Jury Duty until you have been contacted by phone or mail and told that you are excused.

The following reasons would automatically excuse you from jury service:

• You have served within the last 12 months.
• You are over 70 years of age and choose not to serve.
• You have a disabling medical problem, which must be verified by a physician's letter or disability certificate.
• If you are a nursing mother, you must submit verification from your pediatrician.
• If you have moved out of Berrien County, please submit proof of your new address.
• If you are a student, please provide proof of enrollment for the term for which you are on-call.
• If you are in the military, please provide proof of your enlistment.
• If you are not a United States Citizen please provide proof of citizenship for the country you are a citizen of.
• Felony Conviction

You are entitled to be excused from Jury Duty for one time during the month you are placed on-call. After receiving your Jury Panel letter with your on-call days, you may contact the Jury Clerk if you need to be excused for a particular day. Please Note: You must contact the Jury Clerk prior to your on-call day to be excused. The phone number is (269) 983-7111 x 8231