Onslow County Jury Service
Length of Service
Jury service in Onslow County operates on the one-week / one-trial jury system. Jurors are obligated to the court for the entire week's session of court until excused by the presiding judge. A new group of prospective jurors are summoned every week for the entire week. If selected to serve on a trial, a juror will serve for that day and for the duration of that trial (usually one week or less). Jurors called to the jury box and excused during the voir dire process may be called to serve on another case. Jurors not selected for a trial will be asked to follow instructions provided by the presiding judge. All jurors selected for a trial that takes several days to complete will need to be present each day while the trial is in progress.
Jury Service in Onslow County is typically from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise specified by the Court. Jurors may be asked to report at 8:00 a.m. on the first day of jury service to check-in and complete orientation.
Jury service is considered completed for at least two years when the session of court has concluded for jurors, whether they were selected to service on a trial or not selected to serve by the end of the week or session.
When and Where to Report
Each juror receives a jury summons by U.S mail. Information about the time and place to report for jury service is on the summons.
On Friday prior to the date summoned to appear for service, jurors should call the jury information line provided on their summons. Jurors must call this number any time after 6:00 p.m. A recorded message will inform jurors if their appearance will be required. This message will play the entire weekend until normal opening hours the following week. Failure to call this phone number may result in an unnecessary appearance and or a failure to appear.
If instructed to appear for jury service, jurors will be required to report to the Onslow County Jury Pool Assembly Room #536 located at 602 Anne Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540 on the 1st floor pursuant to the jury summons or instructions from the Onslow County Messaging System.
When jurors report they will be greeted and processed by court staff. Jurors will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. Court staff will also give jurors additional information. All jurors present will be administered an oath. Jurors selected to serve on a trial will be given a juror badge to wear until they are released from jury service by the judge. Once a trial begins, the presiding judge will instruct jurors on their duties.
Additional Information
Jurors should dress professionally and comfortably, but not too casually. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, or shirts with offensive wording. Jurors will be acting as part of the court while serving, so dress appropriately. Layered clothing is recommended since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket.
Certain items are prohibited from the Onslow County Courthouse.
For questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at 910-478-3679.
You can also visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/jury
Request for Jury Service Excuse or Deferral
General Information
To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below. Requests may also be submitted by mail, or facsimile. Requests sent by MAIL or FACIMILE must include the completed Application for Excuse, Deferral, Exemption, and Disqualification from Jury Service form and supporting documentation. Your request must be received no later than seven (7) days prior to the date you are summoned to appear. A decision regarding your request will be returned via mail or email. (instructions are included on the summons document). Mail and facsimile requests can be submitted to:
Onslow County Jury Clerk
625 Court Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Facsimile: 910-478-3609
The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM may be completed in lieu of the mail/facsimile option. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your appearance date. (Requirements and instructions are listed below.)
Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or DefermentJury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. For more information, view G.S. 9.6 about jury service and G.S. 9.6.1 about requests to be excused. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Persons qualified to serve must:
- Reside in Onslow County
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Understand the English language
- Have not served as a juror during the preceding two (2) years or as a grand juror in the past six (6) years
- Be physically and mentally competent
Exemptions, Excuses and Postponements may be granted for the following reasons with the applicable supporting documentation:
- People 72 years of age or older
- NOT an Onslow County, North Carolina Resident
- Person is deceased
- Students enrolled full time in a learning institution
- Health/Medical reasons
- Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored
- Not a United States Citizen
- On assignment with the military
Excuses will be granted ONLY for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, by mail, or facsimile. Your request CANNOT be handled by telephone. All requests must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your summoned date.
NOTE: Some decisions are made by a District Court Judge and some decisions are made by the Clerk of Superior Court on behalf of the Chief District Court Judge. All communication about these decisions will come from the Clerk of Superior Court Jury Clerk.
Until you have received a response from the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office, you are still required to appear as instructed on your summons.
- If you do not receive a letter in the mail or email indicating the status of your request at least 24 hours prior to your assigned jury date, you must comply with all the instructions indicated on your jury summons.
- Users will receive a response via mail if the request is mailed in OR via email and mail if the request is from the online form.
- It is your responsibility to monitor your mail and email for a CONFIRMATION and RESPONSE letter from the Clerk of Superior Court's Office to determine if your request has been approved or denied.
- For questions, please contact the Jury Clerk at 910- 478-3679.
If you DO NOT receive a response to an excusal request, you are still required to appear for jury service as instructed in your summons.