Jury Information

Overview

The Judges of the 61st District Court extend our sincere gratitude to those who serve. Our court uses a two-step process of qualifying jurors prior to sending summonses, designed to allow you to satisfy your duty within a reasonable time commitment.

Due to scheduling needs, we do not excuse individuals from service except in cases of extreme emergency, unavoidable conflict, or statutory authorization. If you believe such a situation exists, please contact our jury assignment clerks at 616-632-5588 or juryduty@grcourt.org to request an assignment to a different term.

Reporting for Jury Duty

Your juror summons will list your assigned report date. Please report to the Kent County Courthouse by 9:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled jury service. Parking is provided at the Government Center Ramp, and your parking fees will be covered. 

The jury assembly room is located immediately to the left after entering the courthouse and passing through security. To help maintain a safe and respectful environment, all visitors pass through a brief security screening when entering the courthouse. Security staff are available to answer questions, and items such as firearms, knives, and other prohibited items are not permitted inside.

While schedules are subject to change, jurors are typically released from jury selection before noon on the same day they report. If you are not selected for a trial, your jury service will be concluded at that time. If you are selected, you will receive the trial date and time before leaving that day.

Jurors are compensated for their service and will receive payment on a card that can be used like a debit or gift card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who gets called?

U.S. citizens at least 18 years old who are residents of the court district to which they are summoned. The jury pool for each court comes from a list of licensed drivers and state ID card holders in the court’s district. Those who have been convicted of felony crimes are not eligible for jury service.

Are there exemptions?

People over 70 may request an age exemption from jury service. And while you can be called for duty more than once, you cannot serve on a jury more than once in a 12-month period.

What is required?

Jurors must be able to communicate in the English language and be physically and mentally able to carry out the functions of a juror.

What if I don't show up?

You can be held in contempt of court, fined, or even jailed.

What about work?

By law, an employer cannot fire, or discipline or threaten such action, against an employee who is summoned for jury duty or chosen to serve on a jury, even for a long trial. Nor can employers force a worker to go beyond normal hours to make up for time spent on jury service. An employer who takes these actions could be guilty of a misdemeanor or held in contempt of court.

What’s an acceptable reason to be excused from jury service?

A request for a medical related exemption requires a letter from a doctor. A full-time student who believes that jury service will conflict with his or her classes must submit a copy of the class schedule. An individual who is over 70 may opt out of jury service.

ADA Accommodations

The 61st District Court is committed to providing prospective jurors with an equal and full opportunity to participate in jury service. If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please contact our ADA Coordinator, Sarah Breen, at 616-632-5580 as soon as possible after receiving your jury summons.

Request for Reasonable Accommodations