FAQs

How do I know if I have an upgraded PACER account?

Upgraded PACER accounts have usernames that are at least 8 characters. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account. Go to https://www.pacer.gov/ and click on Manage My Account to upgrade your PACER account.
Where do I park?

Free parking for jurors is available at the Civic Assembly Center Parking Lots which are between one and two blocks from the Courthouse. Occasionally, jurors will be asked to park at the Antioch Church Parking Lot across the street from the Courthouse. Parking instructions are included in the letters sent to jurors along with the summons for jury duty.
How and when should I call about jury service?

Jurors will receive reporting instructions on the welcome sheet mailed out with the summons. There will be instructions indicating if and when a juror is to "call in" to check on scheduled appearances.
How do I request a permanent excuse?

Your can request a permanent excuse if you meet one of the following conditions:

If you are over 70 years of age;

If you are disabled with a permanent or chronic condition (and send us a doctor's statement);

If you have already served as a grand or petit juror in a federal court within the last two years;

If you have active care and custody of a child or children under 10 years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by your absence for jury service; or you are a person who is essential to the care of aged or infirm persons;

If your services are so essential to the operation of a business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise that said enterprise must close if you are required to perform jury duty;

If you are actively practicing or engaged full-time as an attorney or physician;

If you are a student in actual attendance at a university, college, academy or other school having a regular schedule of classes;

or if you serve as a volunteer firefighter or a member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew for any federal, state, or local government agency.

You must request the excuse in writing, and should be returned to the court, along with the juror information form, in the envelope provided with your summons. If the basis of the excuse is a permanent disability you must attach a doctor's statement. Please do not wait until the last minute to request an excuse. Allow time for the paperwork to be received and reviewed by the court before your reporting date.
How do I request a temporary Excuse?

Temporary excuses, also known as deferrals, can be granted for many types of temporary hardships such as prior vacation plans, temporary medical problems and/or convalescence, students who are away at college, economic or family hardships, etc.

If serving as a juror at this time is an undue hardship or an extreme inconvenience for you, submit a request to be temporarily excused in writing, and return it to the court, along with the juror information form, in the envelope provided with your summons. If you do not give a date, the court will choose one for you. The court is unable to grant an unlimited number of deferrals so choose your month carefully.

Please do not wait until the last minute to request an excuse. If you have already sent the lower portion of your summons in and you are nearing your reporting date, call the jury clerk to discuss your hardship.
How long will I serve?

Petit Jury - You will be "on call" for 3 months. You are instructed to call the automated jury line after 5:00 p.m. beginning the Friday before the date on your summons to receive your reporting instructions. Most trials are 3 to 5 days in duration, and most jurors serve an average of 5 days. If you are not selected on a case the day you report, you will be given further instructions regarding your call-in status. Court sessions usually run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but the lengths of court sessions do vary, and so do the lengths of trials.

Grand Jury - The Grand Jury term of service is twelve months unless, in the rare instance, the court finds that an extension would be in the "public interest." Our Grand Jury meets every month for an average of one to three days.
How many days do the trials last?

Jury trials can last anywhere from less than one day to many weeks in length. The majority of our trials in the Eastern District of Oklahoma last two to three days. If you were subject to a lengthy trial, you will have an opportunity to advise the court that a long trial would be a problem for you.
How many hours a day will I be at the courthouse?

On the first day of jury service you will usually be asked to report by 8:15 a.m. for an orientation before going to the courtroom for a jury selection. If you are not chosen to serve you will be dismissed. If you ARE chosen to serve, you will probably begin trial that same day. Normal trial hours run from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with time for lunch and breaks. While serving, the number of hours may vary each day. The trial judge will advise you when to leave and report back each day.
If Selected how long will I serve?

Typically, Petit jurors will be "on call" for 3 months. A juror’s term may be extended beyond the three month time frame. You may be chosen for a trial that will not immediately begin. In those instances, a juror would remain “on call” until the time the trial completes. Jurors will be notified at jury selection of the length of the trial and of the anticipated start date. Grand Jurors serve a 12 month term of service.
Will I ever serve late in the evening or be sequestered?

Sometimes trials will run into the evening hours. If that happens, you will have ample time to make any necessary arrangements and advise your family. Sequestration is always a possibility, however you will be informed of that possibility on the day of selection.

United States District Court

Eastern District of Oklahoma

Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge - Bonnie N. Hackler, Clerk of Court

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