Jury Duty

**PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER ON YOUR SUBPOENA THE DAY BEFORE AND THE MORNING OF YOUR SCHEDULED APPEARANCE TO MAKE SURE YOU STILL HAVE TO ATTEND** 

There are three types of jury subpoenas issued in the 18th Judicial District Court:

1.     Grand Jury - Jurors are selected in March and September of each year to serve at the discretion of the District Attorney for a six month term.  A schedule is provided for the monthly dates and jurors only meet if there are cases to be presented that month.

2.     Petit Jury – Jurors are selected each month to decide the guilt or innocence of a defendant charged with a criminal offense.

3.     Civil Jury – Jurors are selected as needed to decide which party the law favors in a dispute between two or more individuals or businesses.

To qualify as a juror, a person must:

·       Be a citizen of the United States and of the State of Louisiana who has resided within the parish for at least one year immediately preceding his or her jury service.

·       Be at least 18 years of age.

·       Be able to read, write, and speak the English language and be possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language.

·       Not be under interdiction or be incapable of serving as a juror because of mental or physical infirmity.

·       Not be under indictment, incarcerated under an order of imprisonment, or on probation or parole for a felony offense within the five-year period immediately preceding the person’s jury service.

Louisiana law provides two exemptions from jury service:

1.     Anyone over the age of 70 who no longer wishes to serve on a jury may request an exemption in writing.  It is not mandatory and removal must be requested.

2.     Anyone who has previously served as a grand or petit juror in criminal cases or as a trial juror in a civil case in the last 2 years may request an exemption in writing. 

Finally, certain extreme hardships may be considered by the Court provided a written request is received in a timely manner and supporting documents are provided.  Please follow the instructions on your subpoena to submit your request to be excused for this type of hardship.