Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court

Jury Service

A Guide to Jury Service

What qualifies you to be a juror?
You must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of this state and Okaloosa County and have a valid Florida driver's license.

How are jurors summoned for jury duty?
Your name is randomly selected from a list that is currently provided by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Are there any exemptions from serving as a juror?  Click here to check Juror Status
Yes, you may be excused from serving as a juror for one of the following reasons:

• Have served as a juror in Okaloosa County within the past twelve months.
• An expectant mother or a parent that is not employed full-time and has custody of a child under six years of age.
• You are 70 years of age or older.
• A Law Enforcement Officer, with arrest authority.
• Responsible for the care of a person who, because of mental illness, mental retardation, senility, or physical or mental incapacity, is incapable of caring for himself.
• Serving as a juror will cause a hardship or extreme inconvenience, or public necessity.

Payment for jury duty:
Effective July 1, 1993, jurors who are regularly employed and who continue to receive regular wages while serving as a juror are not entitled to receive compensation from the state for the first three days of juror service. Jurors who are not regularly employed or who do not continue to receive regular wages while serving as a juror are entitled to receive $15.00 per day for the first three days of juror service. Each juror who serves more than three days will be paid by the state for the fourth day of service and each day thereafter at the rate of $30.00 per day of service.

"Voir Dire" or Examination of Jurors:
Once you are impaneled as a prospective juror in a case, the judge and the lawyers will ask you some questions regarding your background. These questions are not intended to embarrass you in any way. The questions are to assist the lawyers in deciding which jurors to select. A juror may have a prejudice regarding the type of case to be tried that would make him or her a less desirable juror for the case. If the juror feels that he/she may not be an impartial juror and this is not brought out by questioning, the juror should bring this to the attention of the judge. A juror may be excused because the judge is of the opinion that the juror cannot render a fair and impartial verdict. If a juror is excused for any reason, it is in no way a reflection on the juror. When a juror is excused, it means only that in the particular case it is proper and lawful to excuse him or her. Any juror who is excused from jury service at the juror's own request is not entitled to receive any compensation.

Length of service:
Your first day of service is normally limited to jury selection for trials held during the following trial week. If you are selected as a juror on a case, you will be scheduled to return and serve as a juror on the date of that trial.

Types of trials:
Cases which come before a petit jury are divided into two general classes, Civil and Criminal. In a civil trial, parties in dispute come into court to determine and settle their respective rights. The person who brings an action against another is the "plaintiff." The person against whom the action is brought is the "defendant." In a criminal trial, the persons bringing the action are the people of the State of Florida, represented by the "prosecutor." The "defendant" is a person or corporation accused of a violation of law.

Important things to remember during the trial:
After you are sworn as a juror in a case, there are some rules of conduct which you should observe:

• Do not be late for court. The trial cannot proceed until all jurors are present.
• Sit in the same seat in the jury box. This allows the clerk, judge and lawyers to identify you more easily.
• Listen carefully. It is important that you hear every question asked and every answer given since your verdict will be based on the evidence given. If you do not understand any portion of the trial, ask the judge to have it explained.
• Do not talk about the case. You should not talk to anyone about the case. This includes the clerk, lawyers, judge, bailiff or even another juror unless you have retired to the jury room for deliberations. If anyone tries to talk to you about the case or attempts to influence you as a juror, you should report it to the judge immediately.

Courthouse Security & Prohibited Items
All persons entering the Courthouse locations, even prospective jurors, are required to submit to a security screening. This will include passing through a metal detector and placing any items being carried through an X-ray machine. Please keep in mind that even certain everyday items (scissors, pocket knives, etc.) will not be permitted..

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.  Please contact the Office of the Clerk of Court at 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar at (850)651-7200 or 101 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview at (850)689-5000 within 2 days of your receipt of your Jury Notice if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8771.