Jury Information
Prospective jurors will receive a large postcard summons with information directing them to fill out their questionnaire electronically. Prospective jurors summoned via this new postcard process need to bring their postcard with them if they are required to appear for service.
In some instances paper questionnaires may still be sent out. If you receive a paper questionnaire please fill it out as requested and return it to the Court in a timely manner using the provided return envelope.
THE IMPORTANCE OF JURY SERVICE
Jury service fulfills a high civic obligation. In addition to voting, the average citizen can render no more valuable service in support of our government than the full and honest discharge of jury duty.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Petit Jurors:
Most jurors serve on a Petit Jury, which hears and decides individual cases. Petit Juries are comprised of eight jurors in civil cases and twelve jurors in criminal cases. If a trial is expected to last longer than one day, judges often select alternate jurors.
Each Petit Juror's term lasts two weeks. During this time, he or she is on call for service. You may inquire whether you are to serve the following day by calling the "Juror Line" at (513) 887-3550 or (800) 548-2818 every day after 3:30 p.m. EST. If the juror number(located on bottom left-hand corner of Summons) is listed on the recording, he or she must serve the following day. You may also log on and check the juror web solution each day after 3:30 p.m. EST to determine if you are to report the following business day.
Jurors may have to serve more than once during their term. Therefore, it is important for them to call the juror line every day, even if they have served once already.Jurors who have opted in to receive important texts and emails in regard to their jury service should receive electronic notification if they are to appear the following business day.
Grand Jurors:
Unlike Petit Juries, Grand Juries do not decide cases. Grand juries hear evidence presented by the Prosecutor and decide whether the accused should be indicted and tried for committing a crime.
Those who receive a summons to serve as Grand Jurors must appear and serve on the dates indicated on the summons. A Grand Jury term lasts for a period of three months. During this time, jurors can expect to serve one week of each month.
COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Prospective jurors summoned via postcard should go to https://jury.bcohio.gov to fill out their questionnaire. When logging on to the web solution, please be sure to enter your full birthdate(MM/DD/YYYY), including the forward slashes ("/"). Once you are logged on, you will be prompted to opt-in for important eNotifications. These notifications will provide you with information such as excuse request approval/denial, reporting information, and changes to your service.
Please read through all instructions on the web solution before attempting to contact the Court.
REPORTING FOR SERVICE
Jurors are selected at random by computer from the voter registration list. A juror must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Butler County and at least eighteen years of age.
Parking is available in the adjacent parking garage on Court Street. The commissioners provide jurors with complimentary daily parking passes.
Jurors may access work certification letters via the juror web solution to provide to their employers. The Ohio Revised Code prohibits employers from discharging, laying off, denying advancement or otherwise penalizing employees who miss work because of jury service.
In conjunction with the new jury system, the Butler County Board of Commissioners approved an increase in juror pay. Jurors are now compensated at a rate of $15.00 per day when not seated, or $30.00 per day when seated.
Jurors may have to serve more than once during their term. Therefore, it is important for them to call the Juror Line every day, even if they have already served.
Jury service fulfills a high civic obligation. In addition to voting, the average citizen can render no more valuable service in support of our government than the full and honest discharge of jury duty.
Location Directions
Most jury trials are held in the General Division of Common Pleas Court, located on the third and fourth floors of the Government Services Center. Probate Court is located in the Historic Courthouse. Juvenile Court is located in the Juvenile Justice Center.
Government Services Center (GSC)
315 High Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 785-6550
General Division Judges Haughey, Howard, Muench-McElfresh, Oster, Powers, Spaeth and Stephens
Historic Courthouse
101 High Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Probate Division Judge Holcomb
Juvenile Justice Center
280 North Fair Avenue
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Juvenile Judges Niehaus and Phillips
Parking for the GSC is available in the adjacent garage. Enter from Court Street. Take the garage elevator to Level G3, proceed across the skywalk. Take the escalator down to the first floor, turn left at the bottom of the escalator, and follow signs. A deputy Clerk of Courts will greet you and provide further instructions.
The Judges and the Clerk of Courts sincerely appreciate your service.