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1. I have received a jury summons and have vacation or a business trip planned during the time of my jury term do I have to reschedule this planned event?

Requests to be excused for travel should be made in writing and include your contact phone number and proof of travel (plane tickets, hotel reservations, etc.). Please fax 419-636-9886, or deliver this documentation to the Court immediately. Requests to be excused are reviewed by the Judge on a case by case basis. You are still summoned to appear until you receive a call from the Court informing you otherwise.

2. I have received a jury summons and feel that I am not up to serving on a jury do to health concerns, what should I do?

Requests to be excused from jury duty due to health concerns must be in writing and accompanied by documentation of your condition from a licensed physician must be provided to the Court per Ohio Revised Code Section 2313.16 (A)(4). Please fax 419-636-9886, or deliver this documentation to the Court immediately. Be sure to include your contact phone number in your request to be excused. Upon receipt, your request will be forwarded to the Judge for consideration. You are still summoned to appear until you receive a call from the Court informing you otherwise.

3. I have received a jury summons and feel that my employment may be jeopardized if I were to serve as a juror, what should I do?

Please be aware that you are protected by Ohio Revised Code 2313.18, which prohibits an employer from discharging or threatening to discharge any permanent employee summoned to serve as a juror if that employee gives reasonable notice of their summons prior to being absent from work for service as a juror. It also states “Whoever violates…shall be punished as for a contempt of court.”

You should speak with your employer about being selected for jury service. Many of the organizations, companies and small businesses in this county are very supportive of their employees participating in this civic duty.

4. I have received a jury summons and don’t feel that I can financially afford to be off work to serve as a juror, what should I do?

If summoned as a petit juror, jury trials in the Williams County Court of Common Pleas can last from one to five days, and sometimes longer on very rare occasions. In general, most trials are scheduled for two days. You are compensated by the court $40 per day ($20 per half day) for your services as a juror. You can expect to receive your payment via mail in the form of a check no later than three weeks from the conclusion date of the trial.

Compensation

If summoned as a grand juror, you will meet once a month for four consecutive months. You are compensated by the court $20 per half day for your services as a juror. You can expect to receive your payment via mail in the form of a check no later than three weeks from the conclusion date of service.

Employment Policies

Please talk with your employer about being selected as a juror. Many of the organizations, companies and small businesses in this county are very supportive of their employees participating in this civic duty and already have policies in place regarding their employees serving as jurors.

Exemption Request

If after speaking with your employer regarding their policies; taking into account the monetary compensation you will receive from the court; and keeping in mind the knowledge you will gain of our legal system as well as the feeling of having fulfilled a civic duty after having served as a juror, you feel that a severe financial hardship would result in serving as a juror, you must request to be excused from jury service in written form. Please compose a letter addressed to Judge Stelzer stating fully the reasons you feel serving as a juror will result in a severe financial hardship. Please fax 419-636-9886, or deliver this documentation to the Court immediately. Upon receipt, your letter will be forwarded to the Judge for consideration. You are still summoned to appear until you receive a call from the Court informing you otherwise.

5. I have received a jury summons and am a convicted felon, am I still eligible to serve as a juror on a trial?

If you have been released from your parole or probation with all of your rights restored, yes, you are eligible to serve as a juror.

If you have not been released with rights restored, you are not eligible to serve as a juror. Please contact the Court and your name will be removed from the eligible list of jurors from the term in which you were selected.

6. I have received a jury summons and I have a scheduled doctor appointment, do I need to reschedule this appointment?

If the appointment is routine and easily rescheduled, please do so. Otherwise, Please fax 419-636-9886, or deliver a written request to be excused to the Court immediately. Upon receipt, your letter will be forwarded to the Judge for consideration. You are still summoned to appear until you receive a call from the Court informing you otherwise.

7. None of these questions address my concern, who should I contact?

You may contact Amy Kimpel, Assignment/Jury Commissioner, Williams County Common Pleas Court, 419-636-2644 or email Amy Kimpel. Office hours are Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding observed holidays.