Orange County Jury Service

Report Instructions

Juror number vs. Badge number: The reporting information section on the top-right corner of your summons has two important numbers, a juror number and a badge number. You will use the juror number to check your reporting status on the phone or online, and the badge number to complete the juror questionnaire.

1) Check your jury service status online. Click here to access the status page after 5 p.m. the day before your scheduled appearance, even on weekends or holidays. Input your juror number to learn whether your service will be required.

1a) Check your jury service status by phone. Call 407-836-2048 after 5 p.m. the day before your scheduled appearance, even on weekends or holidays. Listen to the recorded message to learn whether your service will be required. If the phone recording does not operate as expected, follow the instructions to check the status online, or report for jury service as directed by your summons.

2) Complete the juror questionnaire online before reporting to expedite your check-in.

3) On your first day, arrive at the Orange County Courthouse by 7:30 a.m. and report to suite 180 on the first floor.

3a) Be aware of security and firearm restrictions. Check below the list of items that cannot be brought into the courthouse.

Duration of Service

When selected for jury service in Orange or Osceola County, you will serve for the length of one trial, which can last multiple days. The Court reserves the right to have jurors "on call."

You must report on your assigned date. If you are selected to be a seated juror, your service concludes when the case is resolved. If you are not seated as a juror, your service is completed. You may request a form certifying your days of service. While state law doesn't mandate employers compensate you while serving as a juror, many have policies providing compensation, and employers cannot penalize you for reporting for jury service.

Juror Parking

Park at the Courthouse Garage on Orange and Amelia Avenues. Grab a ticket upon entry and bring it when you report for jury service. You will have free parking for the entire length of your service, but you are not allowed to drive in and out of the garage multiple times a day. Do not back into spots or occupy multiple spaces to avoid a ticket from the City of Orlando.  If your vehicle exceeds the 6'8" height clearance, email jury services at jury@ocnjcc.org. The court cannot reimburse parking costs at any other location.

Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals

If you are summoned to report for jury service as a Limited English Proficient individual, you will still need to report to the courthouse as instructed in your letter. Jury staff does not have the authority to excuse you from jury service. Only a judge has that authority. You are allowed to bring a relative that will interpret for you until you appear before the judge, but not inside the courtroom. The judge will inquire whether any jurors have issues understanding the English language and will determine whether you can be excused from your jury service.

If you are summoned in the future and a judge has previously excused you from jury service due to limited English proficiency, you will still need to report for jury service. A judge must determine each time a juror is summoned whether they can be excused based on language proficiency.

Request for Disqualification/Excusal/Deferral

If you have a scheduling conflict and/or extreme hardship, you can request a postponement from your assigned service date to a more convenient date. Your first postponement request will be granted upon demand. Additional requests require proof of undue hardship, and there are very few statutory reasons for being excused from jury service. All requests must be mailed or submitted online at least ten (10) days before your report date.

You can submit requests for Disqualification/Excusal/Deferral via our online interface.

To be excused for medical reasons, you must have your healthcare provider fill out the Orange County medical excuse form and send it to jury services at jury@ocnjcc.org or fax 407-836-2346

Failure to Appear

If you fail to appear as a juror, a letter will be mailed to you directing you to contact the jury services department to reschedule your reporting date within 72 hours of receipt of the letter. Contact information is as follows:

Please note jurors do not normally report on Fridays. Pursuant to section 40.23 of the Florida Statutes, anyone who fails to report for jury service after having been duly summoned may be subject to a fine not to exceed $100.00. Please note: Persons who have failed to appear will receive a letter, never a phone call. Beware of jury scams. In addition to the fine, you may also face contempt proceedings which could result in the imposition of community service or other sanctions, including jail time.

Compensation

If you are unemployed or your employer does not pay regular wages for jury service, you will be compensated $15.00 per day for the first three days of service. If you are employed and receive regular wages, you will not be compensated for the first three days. All jurors will receive compensation for the fourth day and beyond, regardless of employment status. There is no reimbursement for mileage or gas.

You will be compensated through CourtFunds debit cards, which are available for use after 5 p.m. the Friday of the week your service ends. The card can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. If unused for 100 days, a weekly maintenance fee of $2.50 applies.

Check your balance by calling the toll-free number on the back of the card: 1-877-287-2448. Balance inquiries are free and available 24/7. ATM usage incurs a fee.

Report lost or stolen cards immediately to cancel them. CourtFunds will issue a replacement card with the remaining balance, deducting a $10 replacement fee.

To prevent fraud, register your card at www.courtfunds.com or call 1-877-287-2448.

Amenities and Security

To make your service with the Ninth Judicial Circuit as comfortable as possible, the jury assembly room includes Wi-Fi, wireless phone charging stations, and vending machines. As a reminder, please be aware of security and firearm restrictions.

For a 360 view of the jury room, click here.