If you received a postcard from the federal court advising you that your name has been randomly selected to possibly serve as a juror, you must complete a Juror Qualification Questionnaire within ten (10) days. If you would prefer to complete a Questionnaire on paper, please call the federal court Jury Office at (317) 229-3743 and request a paper version. A paper Questionnaire will then be mailed to you for you to complete and return by U.S. Mail.
If legitimate circumstances prevent you from responding within 10 days, please complete the Questionnaire at the earliest date possible. It is not necessary to call the court to report a delay. A paper Questionnaire form will be automatically mailed to you in approximately 45 days if you have received a postcard but do not complete the Questionnaire online.
For step-by-step assistance in completing the Questionnaire, please click here. Position your cursor over each question mark for helpful, pop-up instructions. Automated help is also available by calling the Juror Qualification Questionnaire Help Line at (800) 827-5879.
You may respond in one of the two ways listed below. PLEASE DO NOT DO BOTH.
1. Complete your Questionnaire online:
Submit your Juror Qualification Questionnaire online by clicking here. This is the fastest, easiest and most secure way to respond. By responding electronically, you will also have the ability to update your contact information on your juror record should you move, change phone numbers or email, etc.
OR:
2. Complete the paper version of the Questionnaire and submit by U. S. Mail:
To complete a paper Questionnaire, please answer each question using a No. 2 pencil (or a black ink pen). When you are finished, please sign and date the Questionnaire. Please do not staple, paperclip, or attach any other papers to the Questionnaire. (You may include a request to be excused with your completed Questionnaire on a separate and unattached piece of paper, though please understand that a request for excuse will not prevent you from possibly receiving a Summons if selected to serve.) Use the enclosed postage-paid, business reply envelope to return the Questionnaire by U.S. Mail.
More About Juror Qualification
The Jury Selection and Service Act(link is external) and the court’s Jury Plan for the Random Selection of Jurors dictate the qualifications a person must meet to serve, as well as the process by which prospective jurors are selected for federal court.
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(link is external), any person is deemed to be qualified to serve on a grand or petit jury in this district unless the person:
- is not a citizen of the United States;
- is younger than eighteen (18) years old;
- has not resided resided for at least one year within the Southern District of Indiana;
- is unable to read, write, and understand the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to complete the Questionnaire;;
- is unable to speak the English language;
- is incapable, by reason of mental or physical infirmity, to render satisfactory jury service; or
- has a charge pending against him or her for the commission of, or has been convicted in a State or Federal court of record of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one (1) year and that person’s civil rights have not been restored.
This process begins when several thousand people are selected to receive a Juror Qualification Questionnaire. This is the first step in the court's effort to find citizens who are qualified to serve as jurors under federal law. Receipt of a postcard asking you to complete a federal jury service questionnaire does not mean that you are being summoned or asked to serve as a juror.