Frequently Asked Questions for Jurors

Please report to the Jury Waiting Room located on the second floor of the Manatee County Judicial Center. Please check in with the Jury Coordinator as you enter. The clerk will check you in by taking your summons and questionnaire form.

All parking information can be located on our Juror Parking Page.

• Your term of service will not exceed one trial. At a minimum, you should expect to be at the Judicial Center all day (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) on the first day of your service.
• It is often difficult to predict how long a case and your service will last. Statistics show most cases are resolved within the week. The majority are concluded within two or three days. However, cases lasting in excess of a week in Manatee County are no longer rare. Some exceptional cases may require several weeks of jury service.
• If you are not chosen as a juror on a case the first day, under most circumstances you will be released from further service.
• In the process of jury selection, the presiding judge will advise you how long your service may last. At that time you will be given the opportunity to express any concerns you may have about the trial schedule.

The list of jurors is derived from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in accordance with Florida Statute 40. Prospective jurors are randomly selected from that list. 

Jurors must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age, a resident of the State of Florida, and Manatee County, and possess a driver's license or identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If you do not possess a driver's license, you may execute an affidavit, which can be obtained from our office.

Please use good judgment and dress appropriately. The courtrooms are air-conditioned so you may want to bring a light sweater or jacket. Shorts are not permitted.

• Jurors who are regularly employed and continue to receive regular wages are not entitled to receive compensation for the first three (3) days of jury service. 
• Jurors who are not employed or do not continue to receive regular wages while serving as a juror are entitled to receive $15 per day for the first 3 days of jury service.
• All jurors who serve more than 3 days will be paid $30 per day for the fourth day of service and each day thereafter, regardless of employment status.

Yes, Manatee County provides free wireless internet services. While no computers are available for use there are a number of stations for use. 

If you have reported for jury service within one year, you have the option of taking an exemption from service. Please login in to eJuror for further assistance. If you prefer you may mark this information on the request for excusal included in the packet you received, and return it to our office.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 40, you can postpone your jury service by contacting our office and rescheduling within a six-month period. Your appearance will be mandatory for the new date selected.

The reasons for non-service are defined in Chapter 40 of the Florida Statutes. Please login to eJuror for further assistance.