Jury Information

As a juror, you serve a vital role in our Judicial System and your service is an important responsibility of citizenship. The United States Constitution guarantees everyone the right to trial by an impartial jury. Without willing jurors, the fairness and integrity of our Judicial System could not be maintained. (T.C.A. 22-1-101)

Selection

Jurors are selected at random from a computerized jury pool that is currently made up of Tennessee Department of Safety licensed Blount County drivers. Jurors are compensated at the rate of $10 for each day's attendance.

If you have received a summons, please call the jury information line 865-273-5499 after 5:30 p.m. the day before you are summoned. There will be a message for each Judge on the recording. Please listen carefully and follow the instructions.

Technology

The use of cellular telephones, laptop computers, or other communication devices at the Justice Center is prohibited.

Absence From Employment - Amount of Compensation (T.C.A. 22-4-106)

Any employee shall on the next day the employee is engaged in such employee's employment exhibit the summons to the employee's immediate superior.
The employee shall be entitled to such employee's usual compensation received from such employment, less the amount of the fee or compensation the employee received for serving as a juror.

This does not apply to any employer who employees on a regular basis less than five (5) people or to any employee who has been employed on a temporary basis for less than six (6) months.

Basic Qualifications (T.C.A. 22-1-101, 22-1-102, 22-1-104)

Must Be 18 Years of Age
No Felony Convictions Any Other Infamous Offense
No Pending State Case or Be a Party to a Pending Case
Persons Convicted of Perjury or Subornation of Perjury
Resident of Blount County for 12 Months Preceding the Date of the Summons
US Citizen

FAQs

Is there an Age Limit that allows me to take my name off the Jury List?: The Age Limit that allows your name to be removed from the Jury List starts at 70.
How do I get my name removed from the Jury List due to the Age Limit?: Fill out the Jury Questionnaire Card that is attached to your Jury Summons. Provide a copy of your Driver’s License, Personal ID, or any documentation that includes your date of birth. When your Jury Questionnaire Card/documentation is received, you will be contacted.
I no longer live in Blount County/Tennessee. What do I need to do?: Fill out Jury Questionnaire Card that is attached to your Jury Summons. Include your new Primary Address on Line #2 of Jury Questionnaire Card. You will be contacted when your Jury Questionnaire card is received.
I am a Full Time/Graduate/Nursing Student. What do I need to do to be excused?: Fill out the Jury Questionnaire Card that is attached to your Jury Summons. Provide a copy of your Student ID or Class Schedule. You will be contacted when your Jury Questionnaire Card and documentation have been received.
I have medical conditions that make me unable to serve on a Jury. What do I need to do to be excused?: Fill out the Jury Questionnaire Card that is attached to your Jury Summons. Provide a letter/note from your Doctor or any Medical Documentation that you have. You will be contacted when your Jury Questionnaire and documentation have been received.
What makes a Juror ineligible to serve on a Jury?: A Juror is ineligible to serve if the Juror is not a resident of Blount County, has a Felony Charge, has a letter/note from a licensed doctor that request for the Juror’s name to be removed, or is not a U.S Citizen.
I am willing to serve at another time this year. How do I request a postponement on my Jury Service?: All Jurors are allowed only one Postponement request per Jury Service. A Juror’s Jury Service can be postponed up to one full year. Fill out Jury Questionnaire Card that is attached to your Jury Summons. On the back of the Jury Questionnaire Card, under Postponement of Service, provide a month that you will be available for jury service. You will be contacted and provided with your new Jury Summons date.
If I have already received a Postponement and circumstances arise that prohibit me from serving, what will I need to do to be granted one more Postponement?: If you need one more Postponement then you will need to provide documentation and a letter explaining the reasoning behind the second Postponement request. You will also need to provide a month that you can better serve on a jury. You will be contacted as soon as your Jury Questionnaire/documentation is received and an alternative date given to you if possible. Otherwise, you will need to appear on the summons date, before the judge, to asked to be excused.
If I had served on a Jury within the past two years, will this excuse me from my Jury Service?: You can be excused if you had already completed your Jury Service within the past two years. Fill out your Jury Questionnaire Card which is attached to your Jury Summons and include the date of your previous Jury Summons on Line #18 of the Jury Questionnaire Card. Return the card to our office and you will be contacted regarding your service.
If I will be out of state or out of the country, how will I go about being excused from my Jury Service?: The best that I can do is set you up with a Postponement. Fill out Jury Questionnaire Card, attached to your Jury Summons. On back of Jury Questionnaire Card, under Postponement of Service, provide a month that you will be available for. I will contact and provide you with your new Jury Summons date.

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