About Federal Court Jury Service

Jury service is one of the most important civic duties you can perform. The protection of rights and liberties in federal courts is largely achieved through the teamwork of a judge and jury.

The United States District Court for the District of Oregon randomly selects citizens' names every two years from lists of registered voters who live in the district. The people randomly selected are required to complete a Qualification Questionnaire to help determine if they are qualified to serve on a jury. Those found qualified are added to the Qualified Jury Wheel and are eligible to be randomly chosen for jury duty during a two-year period. This selection process helps to make sure that jurors represent a cross section of the community, without regard to race, gender, national origin, age, or political affiliation.

Receiving a Summons for Jury Service does not guarantee that a person will actually serve on a jury. When a jury is needed for a trial, a randomly selected group of jurors will be sent a Summons for Jury Service and will be required to respond to the Summons for Jury Service electronically or by mail. Jurors who receive a Summons for Jury Service may be required to report to the courthouse for jury selection. Jurors who are required to report to the courthouse for jury selection will go through juror orientation and will be taken to the courtroom where the trial will take place. The judge and the attorneys then ask the potential jurors questions to determine their suitability to serve on the jury, a process called voir dire.

The purpose of voir dire is to exclude from the jury people who may not be able to decide the case fairly. Members of the panel who know any person involved in the case, who have information about the case, or who may have strong prejudices about the people or issues involved in the case, typically will be excused by the judge. The attorneys also may exclude a certain number of jurors without giving a reason.

Types of Cases Heard by Juries

There are two types of judicial proceedings in the federal courts that use juries.

1. Criminal trial: An individual is accused of committing a crime that is a violation of federal criminal law. Twelve people, and alternates, make up a criminal jury. A unanimous decision must be reached before a defendant is found "guilty." The government must prove the crime was committed "beyond a reasonable doubt."
2. Civil trial: Litigants seek remedies for grievances between private parties. At least six people make up a civil jury. The standard of proof is a "preponderance of the evidence" or "more true than not."

Working Together: Judge and Jury

The judge determines the appropriate law that should be applied to the case, and the jury finds the facts in the case based on what is presented to them during the proceedings. At the end of a trial, the judge instructs the jury on the applicable law. While the jury must obey the judge's instructions as to the law, the jury alone is responsible for determining the facts of the case.

Refer to the left side menu for more information about federal jury duty and see the videos below:

• Jury Service Overview
• Jury Service, Hands-on Justice

The eJuror system allows you to complete a Qualification Questionnaire or respond to a Summons for Jury Service online. You can also use eJuror to submit an initial request for excuse or disqualification from jury service,* and update previously provided contact information. The participant number listed on your Qualification Questionnaire or Summons for Jury Service is required when logging in to eJuror.

*Deferment requests cannot be made through eJuror and must be made by e-mail, fax, mail, or phone.

If you recently received a letter from the U.S. District Court directing you to complete a Juror Qualification Questionnaire online using eJuror, the letter is legitimate and is not a scam. The letter includes a unique nine-digit participant number (highlighted in yellow near your name and address) and this number is required to access the secure eJuror site. Courts across the country use eJuror to reduce costs and increase efficiency in the juror qualification process.

You are required to complete a Qualification Questionnaire to determine your eligibility to serve as a juror in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. If you are found to be eligible, you may be randomly selected for service between December 2023 and December 2025.

You must respond to a Summons for Jury Service within five business days of receipt.

Click here to log in to eJuror and submit your response online.  You will need the nine-digit participant number located on the top of the Summons for Jury Service.

If you are unable to respond online, complete the lower portion of the Summons for Jury Service (the Juror Information Form) and return it in the provided envelope.

eJuror Tips

• All fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required. If you are unable to progress to the next screen, ensure that all required fields have been completed.
• Do not use your Internet browser's back and forward buttons while using eJuror. If you do so, eJuror will delete the information you have entered. Instead, use the back and forward buttons on the eJuror screens to navigate between the pages to ensure your entries are not erased.
• The eJuror process takes approximately five to ten minutes; however, the system will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity. If your session times out, wait 30 minutes and log back in.

Mac users please note:  Safari is not supported by eJuror.  If you are a Mac user you will need to download and use Mozilla Firefox for Mac to access eJuror.

The Court is unable to unlock your eJuror session. If your session is interrupted due to inactivity, please wait 30 minutes and attempt to log back in. 

The Court may grant deferment and excuse requests for potential jurors who qualify as outlined in the District of Oregon Jury Selection Plan  and 28 U.S.C. § 1863(b)(5)(A). All requests for excuse and supporting documentation must be submitted in writing (e-mail, fax, or mail), and must include the nine-digit participant number.

To check the status of your deferment or excuse request 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

1. Call 503-326-8111,
2. Press 1,
3. Enter the nine-digit participant number highlighted at the top of the Summons for Jury Service, and
4. Press 1 to confirm the first three letters of your last name and access your recorded reporting instructions.

Reporting for jury service is required by federal law. 

Not all jurors who have been summoned will be required to report.  To check your reporting requirements:

1. Call 503-326-8111,
2. Press 1,
3. Enter the nine-digit participant number highlighted at the top of th Summons for Jury Service, and
4. Press 1 to confirm the first three letters of your last name and access your recorded reporting instructions. 

Reporting requirements are updated by 4:00 PM the business day before the service date printed on the front of the Summons for Jury Service. 

Occasionally, cases are terminated or rescheduled as late as the day before the trial is scheduled to occur, which may mean that your service as a juror may not be required.  If you are not required to report for service as summoned, and you fail to call 503-326-8111 for updated reporting instructions, you will not be paid an attendance fee or be reimbursed for parking or travel expenses.  The call-in number accepts collect calls generated within the State of Oregon. 

The Jury Department will call long distance jurors (jurors residing more than 75 miles from the courthouse) the week before their service date with reporting instructions.

Long distance jurors must call the Automated Jury Information Line at 503-326-8111:

• 48 hours before their service date for updated reporting instructions; and
• before departing for Portland to confirm updated reporting instructions.

Expenses incurred by jurors who do not call the Automated Jury Information Line as instructed, or who incur expenses after being informed that their service is not needed, will not be reimbursed.

What if I don't report for Jury Duty?

The Court may issue an order requiring you to appear before a judge. If you ignore the order to appear, you may be held in contempt.  Similarly, if you fail to complete jury service without first getting permission from the Court, a failure to appear notice may be issued and you may be punished for contempt.  If you receive a Summons for Jury Service but cannot comply, you must follow the procedures to request a deferment or excuse.

Public transportation is generally available in each division. If you have questions regarding parking or public transportation, call the Jury Administration Department.

Portland:  Download  Parking and City Center Map Portland.pdf for a map of nearby parking facilities and TriMet routes. 

Do not use on-street, metered parking. You will not have time to move your car or feed a meter.  Please park only in a parking lot or parking garage. Refer to the list of parking lots and garages included with the Summons for Jury Service. 

Eugene: Metered parking is available on East 8th Avenue and Ferry Street, and several small paid parking lots are nearby. Click here for a map of nearby parking lots.

Medford:  For security reasons there is no parking on the street directly next to the courthouse; however, on-street parking is located nearby.

Pendleton:  Do not use the two-hour on-street parking areas on S.W. Dorion. Instead, use the 10-hour parking areas available on S.W. Frazer Avenue and S.W. First Avenue.

Your term of jury service is one day or the duration of one trial.  If you report for jury duty and are not selected as a juror, your service is considered complete.  If you report for jury duty and you are selected as a juror, your service starts immediately and you will serve as a juror until the Judge releases you at the end of the trial.  Most trials are completed within one week and are held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.   If a trial is scheduled for an extended period of time, you will receive a notice with more information prior to being selected as a juror.

If you need the services of a sign language interpreter, please contact the Jury Administration Department by phone or e-mail as soon as possible so that the Court can begin the scheduling process.

Portland:     503-326-8100,

Eugene:       541-431-4100,

Medford:     541-608-8777,

Pendleton:  503-326-8100,

Information regarding other accommodations can be found here.

Under federal statute 28 U.S.C. § 1875, no employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee’s jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of the United States.  More detailed information regarding this statute can be found by clicking here.

Documents

• Handbook for Trial Jurors Serving in the U.S. District Court
• Handbook for Federal Grand Jurors
• District of Oregon Jury Selection Plan

Fee and Allowances Waiver

Waiver of Juror Fees and Allowances.pdf

In various parts of the United States, members of the public are being targeted by phone calls and e-mails, threatening them with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service in federal or state courts.

In some calls and e-mails, recipients are pressured to provide confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud.  These calls and e-mails, which threaten recipients with fines and jail time if they do not comply, are fraudulent and are not connected with the federal courts.  In other calls and e-mails, recipients are asked to provide bank account or credit card information or to purchase gift cards to pay an alleged fine or remove a warrant.

Federal courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call.  Most contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. mail or by e-mail, and any phone contact by real court officials will not include requests for any type of payment, fine, credit card number, or any other sensitive information, such as your social security number or mother’s maiden name.  Federal courts will also not serve a warrant or notify you of a warrant by e-mail, phone, or fax.  Federal officials do not demand payment of money in lieu of being arrested.

Jury duty is a vital civic responsibility and should be taken seriously by all citizens.  However, it is a crime for anyone to falsely represent himself or herself as a federal court official.  The federal judiciary takes seriously such an offense.

If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud or have received a scam phone call, phishing e-mail, or fax, contact your local police department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (503-224-4181 or www.fbi.gov/tips), or the United States Marshals Service (503-326-2209 or www.usmarshals.gov/district/or/).

Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction.  Most legal disputes are adjudicated in courts operated by the state in which the dispute arose. In Oregon, the state trial courts are called circuit courts for the county in which they reside.

If you were called to serve for jury duty by a circuit court of a county within Oregon, you will need to visit the Oregon Judicial Department's website for more information.

• What can I bring to the courthouse with me?
• Do I get paid for serving?
• Can I lose my job for reporting for jury service?
• Will my employer pay me while I am serving jury duty?
• How can I be reached if there is an emergency while I am serving as a juror?
• How do I know if my jury service is affected by severe weather conditions?

What can I bring to the courthouse with me?

You may bring beverages, food, and small portable electronics like iPods, cellular phones, tablets, e-readers, and laptops.  Security will not allow the following items through the security checkpoint:

• knitting needles
• crochet hooks
• pocket knives or multi-use tools
• embroidery scissors
• letter openers
• mace or pepper spray
• razors
• tools (pliers, wrenches, hammers, etc.)
• heavy gauge chains
• firearms (real or toy)
• bullets or ammunition

If you have more questions regarding items allowed through the security checkpoint, call the U.S. Marshals Service at 503-326-2209.

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Do I get paid for serving?

Unless otherwise waived, jurors receive $50.00 per day for attendance ($60.00 per day after the 10^th day of petit service or the 45^th day of grand jury service), round-trip daily mileage, and a flat- rate parking reimbursement (Portland and Eugene only).  Long distance jurors residing more than 75 miles from the courthouse may also be eligible for actual lodging reimbursement and per diem at the current General Services Administration rates. 

Most federal employees are exempt from receiving the daily attendance payment.

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Can I lose my job for reporting for jury service?

No. You are protected by federal statute (28 U.S.C. § 1875) from being discharged, intimidated, or coerced by your employer because of your jury service.  An employer violating this statute is subject to: damages to the employee for loss of wages or other benefits; an injunction prohibiting further such violations and providing appropriate relief, including reinstating the employee; a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation on each employee; and an order to perform community service.  A juror claiming his or her employer violated his or her employment protection rights may apply for appointment of counsel to bring such a claim.  Upon finding probable merit in such a claim, the Court may appoint counsel to represent the juror under 28 U.S.C. § 1875(d).

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Will my employer pay me while I am serving jury duty?

Your employer's personnel policies, or the specific employment agreement between you and your employer, will determine whether any compensation is payable to you during jury service. There is no statutory requirement that an employer pay salary or wages during an employee’s jury service.

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How can I be reached if there is an emergency while I am serving as a juror?

The Jury Administration Department can reach you during jury selection and jury service to pass on urgent messages.  Use the contact information below to reach the Jury Administration Department:

Eugene:      541-431-4100
Medford:     541-608-8777
Portland:     503-326-8100
Pendleton:  503-326-8100

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How do I know if my jury service is affected by severe weather conditions?

The Court may open late or close completely due to severe weather and poor road conditions.  Delay and closure information will be available on this site's homepage and in a recorded message at the affected location:

Eugene:      541-431-4100
Medford:     541-608-8777
Portland:     503-326-8100
Pendleton:  503-326-8100

If you have been selected as a juror and are serving on a trial, the judge’s courtroom deputy will contact you personally if there are weather-related delays or closures.

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