Federal Jury Information

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Please Read: Juror Telephone Scam

Identity theft affects millions of Americans every year.  In parts of the United States, thieves posing as court employees have contacted potential victims over the phone. Often, the caller demands a payment or financial information. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a court employee, do not provide any financial information over the phone. If you are selected for jury service, we will never ask for personal financial information over the phone.

How Jurors are Selected

A master jury wheel is created by randomly selecting people who voted in the Western District of Wisconsin in the most recent presidential election. Periodically, names are drawn from the master jury wheel to receive juror qualification questionnaires and summonses to report for grand or petit jury service. The number of persons drawn is based on anticipated need plus a margin of extra names to compensate for individuals who are ineligible or unavailable. These questionnaires determine whether an individual is legally qualified to serve. Qualified individuals are expected to report for service pursuant to the court's instructions.

All selections are carried out through an electronic data processing system for randomized selection. This process ensures that the odds of any one person being selected for jury service are substantially equal.  A copy of the court's jury selection plan is available here.

Petit Jury Service

A petit jury is a trial jury, composed of 6 to 12 members, that hears a civil or criminal case   and renders a verdict after hearing the evidence offered by the parties.

Handbook for Federal Trial Jurors

The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint trial jurors with the general nature and importance of their role as jurors. It explains some of the language and procedures  used in court, and it offers some suggestions helpful to jurors in performing this important public service.

Information for Petit Jurors Serving in Madison

This document has information specific to your service as a federal petit juror in Madison, Wisconsin.

Information for Petit Jurors Serving in Eau Claire

This document has information specific to your service as a federal petit juror in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Grand Jury Service

A federal grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed by a specific person or persons. If a grand jury finds probable cause to believe that a crime was committed, it will return a written statement of charges called an indictment.

Handbook for Federal Grand Jurors

This handbook will acquaint persons who have been selected to serve on a federal grand jury with the general nature and importance of their role as grand jurors. It explains some of the terms that grand jurors will encounter during their service and offers some suggestions helpful to them in performing this important public service.

Information for Grand Jurors

Specifics for grand jurors serving in the Western District of Wisconsin.

Confirming Your Reporting Status

If you receive a summons for jury service, you are "on call" for a period of one month.  However, you are required to travel to the courthouse only if you receive a notice to serve. If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will serve until the end of the trial even if it continues into the following month.

All prospective jurors are required to complete a JUROR QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE.  The questionnaire must be completed within 10 days of receipt of a summons, either by completing the form on the court's e-Juror website or by calling the clerk's office to request a paper version.

During your "on call" period, you are responsible for verifying your weekly reporting status by checking the e-Juror website or by calling (608) 264-5091 every Tuesday after 3:00 PM.  You will need your participant number to access either the website or the automated phone system.  Your participant number is located on your summons, below your name and address.

If you are asked to travel to the courthouse, it is strongly suggested that you confirm your reporting status before you leave, as last-minute changes may affect your scheduled appearance.

The court understands that jury service may be an inconvenience.  If serving on a jury at any time during your "on call" period would result in undue hardship, you may request to be postponed or excused from service.  Please submit such a request as early as possible before you are scheduled to report for service.  Please note that you must complete a JUROR QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE before the court may consider such a request.  If physical or medical disability would keep you from jury service, you may provide your doctor with this form.