For your convenience, listed below are answers to commonly asked questions.

If you are unable to serve on a summoned date, a postponement or deferral of jury service may be granted. Jurors requesting their first deferral may request a deferral online, or by contacting the Office of Jury Management at 412.350.5336, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled service date in order to request a new service date. Subsequent requests for deferrals must be in writing and mailed to the Office of Jury Management, 414 Grant Street, Suite 701-A, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, faxed to 412.350.3043, or emailed to jurycoordinator@alleghenyCourts.us at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled service date. The Court will respond to your request in writing.

Note: Individuals summoned for Investigating Grand Juries are not eligible for deferral of jury service.

Upon reporting to the address indicated on the summons, jurors can expect the following activities:

• Check-in and verification of identity;
• Orientation and introduction to Court procedures; and
• Voir dire, or individual questioning, to determine your ability to serve on a particular case.

If you are selected, jurors are escorted to the Courtroom of the assigned judge for further instruction. If not selected, you will remain in the Assignment Room for possible voir dire on another case. Once all cases scheduled have been resolved, you have fulfilled your service and will be dismissed.

Note: Individuals summoned for Investigating Grand Juries should expect to be present for the entire day regardless of whether or not you are chosen as a grand juror. If you are not selected as a juror on the date summoned, you will be dismissed by the Court, and your service will be completed.

There are often delays in the selection of jurors, and we ask for your patience. It is suggested jurors bring reading material to pass the time during periods of inactivity. Also, jurors may bring cellular phones, laptop computers, and other electronic media to designated Court facilities. The use of these devices is prohibited in Courtrooms and jury deliberation rooms.

Typically, jury selection will conclude at or before 4:30 p.m. However, you may be dismissed prior to 4:30 p.m. if all scheduled cases have been resolved. Jurors are excused for a lunch period and will be provided opportunities to take short breaks. Assignment Room personnel will provide maps of the immediate downtown area identifying restaurants. Lunches brought from home may be eaten in the lounge areas of the Assignment Rooms. Assignment Rooms are equipped with televisions in the lounge areas.

Jury service is one of the most important rights men and women may exercise in our government. Failure to appear when summoned severely undermines our system of justice and may result in a fine and/or imprisonment for those who fail to comply with the juror summons.

Citizens may be summoned to jury service once every twelve (12) months provided your prior jury service did not exceed three (3) days. Jurors serving more than three (3) days may not be re-summoned for a period of three(3) years.

Sequestration, or the process of secluding the jury until a verdict is reached, is extremely rare. In the event sequestration is necessary, the trial judge will discuss this with jurors.

It is not permissible for you to have another individual appear on your behalf for jury service. Only the individual named on the summons may fulfill the service requirement.

It is not permissible to be accompanied by another individual in the Assignment Rooms, Courtrooms jury deliberation rooms, or designated Court facilities.

By serving when called, you fulfill a vital role in our form of government. Your active participation ensures the people, not the government, are the final arbiters of disputes, both public and private, where the freedom of the accused or the property rights of any citizen is at issue. Further, the Court is responsible for assuring that all persons are afforded this right. Without the cooperation of the citizens, we simply could not provide a fair and impartial system of justice.

Jurors are asked to wear appropriate attire befitting the importance of their service. Examples of inappropriate dress include blue jeans, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, sweat suits, beach shoes, revealing clothing, or clothing with offensive language or logos. Please note that jurors wearing inappropriate attire may be dismissed and ordered to return the next Court day in acceptable attire. It is recommended you dress in layers as temperatures may vary in different buildings.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Court provides accommodations for those with disabilities. If you are currently hearing or sight impaired or experience other physical disabilities, please contact the Office of Jury Management at 412.350.5336 upon receipt of your juror summons to discuss your situation and make the necessary arrangements to assist you in service as a juror.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Jury Management at 412.350.5336 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email your questions to jurycoordinator@alleghenyCourts.us.

Voter registration lists are used as the primary source for juror pools. In addition, the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas uses a list of licensed drivers to supplement the voter registration list. These two sources are combined to form a master list of prospective jurors for qualification and subsequent random summoning to service.

There are no provisions for any specific exemption of jury service based on one’s occupation, profession, or status. When appropriate, the Court will attempt to accommodate prospective jurors in determining the most suitable date for service.

If you believe you are incapable of rendering efficient jury service due to a mental or physical infirmity, you may be eligible for a deferment or excusal from jury service.

To qualify for this excusal, you will be required to complete and submit a Medical/Mental Infirmity Certificate within 30 business days after the submission of your Questionnaire. Persons failing to complete and submit this form will be deemed qualified by the Office of Jury Management and required to appear as summoned.

If you complete the Qualification Questionnaire online, the Medical/Mental Infirmity Certificate and instructions will be provided immediately after your responses are submitted. If you return your completed Questionnaire by mail, a form will be mailed to you immediately upon receipt.

Every citizen 18 years of age or older residing in Allegheny County is eligible to serve as a juror, and participation of all citizens in jury service is strongly encouraged. The potential hardship service may bring for elderly citizens is recognized by the Court. While there is no age limitation to participate in jury service, citizens who are 70 years of age or older, upon receipt of a Qualification Questionnaire or Summons, may request an age-related excusal that will permanently remove them from the Court’s list of prospective jurors.

You must be a resident of Allegheny County to serve as a juror in the Court of Common Pleas. If you are no longer a permanent resident, you will be required to complete and submit an Affidavit of Non-Residency form along with supporting documentation within 20 business days after the submission of your Questionnaire. Persons failing to complete and submit the form will be deemed qualified by the Office of Jury Management and required to appear as summoned.

If you complete the Questionnaire online, the Affidavit of Non-Residency form and instructions will be provided immediately after your responses are submitted. If you return your completed Questionnaire by mail, a form will be mailed to you immediately upon receipt.

Under most circumstances, you may be excused from jury service if you are in the active military. To qualify for this excusal, you will be required to complete and submit a Military Certificate within 45 business days after the submission of your Questionnaire. Persons failing to complete and submit this form will be deemed qualified by the Office of Jury Management and required to appear as summoned.

If you complete the Questionnaire online, the Military Certificate and instructions will be provided immediately after your responses are submitted. If you return your completed Questionnaire by mail, a form will be mailed to you immediately upon receipt.

Persons receiving a Juror Qualification Questionnaire must truthfully complete and submit the form. Failure to do so may result in contempt proceedings being initiated.

To request an age-related excusal, you may contact the Office of Jury Management by calling 412.350.5336, by writing to:

414 Grant Street
Suite 701-A
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

or by email at jurycoordinator@alleghenyCourts.us.

You will receive a written response from the Court.