The Administrative Office for the United States Courts has prepared additional information about jury service in general.

How Jurors are Selected

The master jury wheel is a collection of randomly selected individuals with residences in the Western District of Wisconsin who voted in the last Presidential election.  Periodically, names from this jury wheel are drawn to receive juror qualification questionnaires and summonses for petit (trial) or grand jury service.  The Plan for the Random Selection of Grand and Petit Jurors for Service in the Western District of Wisconsin, also known as the Jury Plan, is used by the court for the random selection of potential jurors.  All selections are carried out through an electronic data processing system for randomized selection to ensure that the odds of being selected for jury service is substantially equal.  The number of potential jurors drawn is determined by a number of factors identified in the Jury Plan, including anticipated juror demands by the court.  The questionnaires returned by potential jurors are used to determine whether individuals are legally qualified to serve.  More information about the court's selection process may be found in the Jury Plan. 

General Information

The Western District of Wisconsin covers counties in the western two-thirds of Wisconsin.

A petit jury, also called a trial jury, consists of six to twelve jurors that hear a civil or criminal case and, after hearing the evidence offered by the parties, render a verdict. 

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

Completion of Juror Qualification Questionnaire

Juror qualification questionnaires are used to determine a prospective juror's eligibility for jury service.  Federal law requires a potential juror, or that person's representative, to complete the questionnaire within ten days of receipt, regardless of whether the potential juror's residence is in the district. 

A space is available to indicate whether the questionnaire has been received by the representative of a deceased party.

Questionnaires may be completed in one of two formats: Online or through the mail.

• Online via eJuror - The participant number found on the summons just below the address is used to log in.  The prospective juror follows the screen prompts when answering each question, being careful not to use the browser controls, otherwise the questionnaire will restart. 

• Through the Mail - Paper juror qualification questionnaires may be obtained by calling 608-261-5711 or 608-261-5713.  If unable to reach the jury staff directly, the prospective juror, or representative, should request a juror qualification questionnaire by leaving their name, participant number, current mailing address, and telephone number.  Although messages left will not receive a return telephone call, the juror qualification questionnaire should be received within ten days.  A space is available to indicate whether a questionnaire is completed by the representative of a deceased party.

Call In Process

During the term of service, potential petit (trial) jurors are required to call in every Tuesday after 3:00 p.m. to verify whether their appearance the following week is necessary. 

Prospective petit jurors use the participant number to check on the reporting status in one of two ways:

• Online through eJuror
• By calling 608-264-5091

Before traveling to the courthouse, potential jurors should confirm the reporting status for any last minute changes to a scheduled appearance.

Excuses or Postponements

The court understands that jury service may be an inconvenience.  A potential juror may request a postponement or to be excused if a hardship would result from the period of time on call.  However, before a prospective juror submits a request for service to be excused or postponed, the juror qualification questionnaire must first be submitted before any request may be considered. 

Prospective jurors may have service excused or postponed to a later date if it can be shown that serving would result in undue hardship.  The type of excuse or postponement allowed varies depending upon whether the prospective juror is called for petit (trial) or grand jury.  Prospective petit jurors may request a partial or full excuse, or postponement of jury service.  Jury service for potential grand jurors may be postponed to a later date. 

If a prospective juror believes a physical disability or medical issue would prevent the ability to serve, the treating physician should send a note to the jury administrator either via fax (608-264-5925) or by mail (Clerk's Office, ATTN: Jury Administrator, 120 North Henry Street, Room 320, Madison, WI 53703).  Alternatively, prospective jurors may provide a treating physician with this form to be returned to the jury administrator by either of the means previously identified.

Any requests must be submitted ten days prior to the first call-in date identified on the summons.  

It is important that a prospective juror include an explanation by using the "Remarks" section on the hard copy questionnaire and by following the steps on the online questionnaire.

Request After Submission

If a request for an exemption from service or postponement is necessary after submission of the questionnaire, the potential juror mails or faxes the request, and includes the participant number on the submission.  Using the participant number, potential jurors may also log back into eJuror and follow the necessary steps.

Emergency After Appearance Scheduled

If an emergency arises that impacts the prospective juror's ability to appear as scheduled, the prospective juror first calls the jury administrator (608-261-5711) and then sends a written explanation by email or mail, being certain to include the participant number

Preparing for Federal Jury Service

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts has a site with videos, handbooks, and other media available for potential jurors' information.

The handbooks are also available in hardcopy format from the jury administrator by calling 608-261-5711 or by email, being certain to include the participant number.

Reporting for Federal Jury Service

Petit (Trial) Jurors Arrival at the Courthouse

• Madison

The courthouse is located at 120 North Henry Street, Madison.  Although there is metered parking around the building, it is advised that potential jurors take advantage of the Overture Parking Ramp located next to the courthouse, as potential jurors are not allowed to leave the jury selection process to add time to a meter. After passing through security, prospective jurors should make their way to the second floor of the courthouse to room 220 by 8:00 a.m., where the jury administrator will check in and supply prospective jurors with further instruction.

• Eau Claire

The courthouse is located at 500 South Barstow Street, Eau Claire.  Report to room 20 on the second floor of the courthouse by 8:15 a.m. where orientation will take place.

The security process at the courthouses is extensive and similar to an airport checkpoint.  It is recommended that prospective jurors allow at least 10 minutes for the screening process.

Typically, after jury selection, the trial begins, with most trials lasting three to four days and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with breaks as necessary with a one hour recess for lunch.  Jurors have lunch on their own, taking advantage of restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse.

Grand Jury

Potential grand jurors arrive by 8:30 a.m.  Generally, after the grand jury is impaneled (selected) in the morning, orientation takes place, and the first session follows in the afternoon.  Grand jury sessions are Wednesdays and Thursdays of the scheduled week.  The jury administrator will call and email confirmation of the session length one week before a scheduled session.  Most grand jury days last from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a one hour recess for lunch.  Grand jurors have lunch on their own, either bringing their own or taking advantage of restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse.

Dress Code

Although the court does not have a formal dress code, prospective jurors should dress in a respectful manner.  The temperatures in courtrooms are cool and prospective jurors may wish to bring a sweater or light jacket.

Failure to Report

Failure to report for jury duty without being excused by the court may result in service of a Show Cause Order by the United States Marshal requiring the party to show cause as to why the court should not issue a contempt order under the Jury Selection Act.  Contempt penalties may include a $1,000 fine, imprisonment for not more than three days, and community service.

Compensation for Federal Jury Service

Compensation for federal jury service is as follows:

The mileage rate is calculated using Google maps round trip between the potential juror's address and the courthouse.

If an employee or school requires a certificate of attendance, the potential juror may log into eJuror and print from the site using their participant number.  Otherwise, the prospective juror may ask the jury administrator before leaving the courthouse.

The court will not issue 1099 forms unless attendance fees exceed $600.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why use eJuror?
• What if a prospective juror does not own a computer?
• How does a prospective juror know an eJuror questionnaire or changes have been received?
• What if a prospective juror needs to submit additional information?
• Who will view information provided to the court?
• What if the prospective juror has moved out of the district, is 70 or older, has medical problems, is deceased, or does not want to serve at this time?

Why use eJuror?

The court's online system provides an efficient way for potential jurors to fulfill the obligation to respond to the court.  The juror qualification questionnaire may be completed from a computer, cell phone, or tablet.  The eJuror site is available 24 hours a day and provides step-by-step guidance.

What if a prospective juror does not own a computer?

The court understands that not everyone has access to a computer or the Internet.  Prospective jurors may wish to ask a friend or family member with access to assist, or perhaps visit the local public library computer terminals to access eJuror.  If Internet access is not possible, the prospective juror, or representative, may call the jury staff at 608-261-5711 or 608-261-5713 and, using the participant number, request a hard copy of the questionnaire.

How does a prospective juror know an eJuror questionnaire or changes have been received?

The last page of the eJuror questionnaire is a confirmation page that enables the prospective juror to review, edit, and confirm responses before final submission.  If the prospective juror includes an email as part of the questionnaire process, a copy of the answers submitted and a confirmation of receipt are returned.  If the prospective juror does not receive the verification, there is no guarantee that the juror qualification questionnaire has been received by the court. 

What if a prospective juror needs to submit additional information?

Any supplemental information is emailed to jury@wiwd.uscourts.gov, faxed to 608-264-5925, or mailed to Clerk's Office, ATTN: Jury Administrator, 120 North Henry Street, Room 320, Madison, WI 53703.  All correspondence must include the potential juror's participant number.

Who will view the information provided to the court?

Only court staff can review information provided by potential jurors.  The only exception to this rule is under extraordinary circumstances and by judicial order.  Information provided by potential jurors is not released to any government entities for purposes other than to ensure that juries are made up of a fair cross-section of the community.

What if a prospective juror has moved out of the district, is 70 or older, has medical problems, is deceased, or does not want to serve at this time?

Every prospective juror is required to complete the questionnaire, and is given the opportunity to request an excuse or postponement from service.  A space is also available to indicate whether the questionnaire has been received by the representative of a deceased party.