Jury Service
Welcome to the Lake Superior Court’s Jury Division
The Jury Commissioner’s Office compiles a master list of jurors from DMV, Voter Registration information and the Franchise Tax Board. Each prospective juror is summoned, via random selection.
Online Jury Portal
Request a postponement or exemption, confirm your reporting status, request a work certificate and more:
Receive Jury Updates via Text!
Interactive SMS messaging allows you to check juror status, reschedule dates, request a reminder call/text, request a work certificate, and get directions. Simply text your six digit juror badge number to (707) 209-7095.
Important Juror Information During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Court continues to closely monitor the ongoing state of emergency related to COVID-19.
DO NOT REPORT FOR JURY SERVICE IF:
- You have any symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, sore throat, headache, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Any individuals who appear to be ill will be sent home. You may reschedule your appearance using the online portal.
- You or a family member has been diagnosed with COVID-19. You may reschedule your appearance in the online portal.
Jury Duty Details
A new one-day/one trial jury system was implemented on January 1, 2000. Under this common-sense program, you need only appear (prepared to serve) for one day unless you are selected to serve on a jury. If you are selected, you serve for the duration of the trial.
When a juror receives a summons card and feels that he/she should be excused, the following are excuses allowable by the Jury Commissioner's Office:
- Medical/dental appointment;
- Out of County on date summoned;
- Death of juror or family member;
- Illness (medical verification needed from physician);
- Family emergency.
Each prospective juror, who appears as summoned, will receive compensation of $15 per day and 34 cents per mile roundtrip from your home to the court, for each day of service, commencing on the second day of service.
Request for Exemption
Download a Hardship Request Form here if you have exhausted all available postponements by the clerk.
All requests to be postponed from jury service, because of undue hardship, shall be made in writing addressed to:
Krista D. LeVier
Jury Commissioner
255 North Forbes Street
Lakeport, CA 95453
Fax number: 707-262-1327
Each request for exemption is determined on a case-by-case basis. You will need to call the Jury Office at 1-866-838-9172 to confirm whether or not you have been granted an exemption or a continuance.
Jury FAQs
The Jury Services Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for court holidays. The office will be closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Lakeport courthouse is located at 255 North Forbes Street.
Directions: From Main Street, turn East onto 2nd Street and go one block to Forbes. The courthouse is located on the corner of 2nd and Forbes.
When you appear for jury service, please remember to dress respectfully. Tank tops, shorts and bare feet are not permitted. Because the temperature of the jury assembly areas and courtrooms can be unpredictable, jurors are encouraged to dress in layers.
Juror Fees: You will be paid fifteen dollars per day and $0.34 per mile roundtrip from your home to the courthouse, unless waived, for the second and subsequent days of service whether you are serving on a case or available to be assigned to a case. No juror will be paid a per diem for their first day of service, including sworn jurors who sit on a one-day trial. It will generally take three weeks after the conclusion of your service to receive your check.
ADA: If you require some accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call 866-838-9172 during business hours and ask to speak to with a clerk.
Every resident who is qualified to serve and who does not have a legal hardship or excuse must appear for jury service when summoned. Willful failure to appear is contempt of Court, and can be punished by fine of up to $1,000.00.
If you didn’t appear on the date on your summons, you may request a postponement with this automated system by visiting the online portal or by calling the Jury Division during business hours at 866-838-9172.