What do I have to know about reporting for jury duty?
For jurors reporting at the Milwaukee County Courthouse (901 N. 9th St): Please plan accordingly! The Courthouse opens at 7:30 am. Jurors must enter the Milwaukee County Courthouse on the west side of the building, and then they will be asked to go through security. Per Milwaukee County policy, a mask must be worn in the Courthouse at all times. Masks will be provided for jurors when they enter the Courthouse. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be denied access to the building. After passing through security, jurors should report to Room 307 (which is on the 3rd Floor) of the Courthouse where they will be checked in and given further instructions by Jury Services staff.
For jurors reporting at the Vel Phillips Juvenile Justice Center (10201 W. Watertown Plank Road): Jurors should park in the surface lot and enter the north side doors. Jurors will pass through security and then look for signs directing them to the Clerk of Circuit Court office. Staff will check jurors in and give them instructions. Masks must be worn in the Vel Phillips Center at all times.
What if I’m a reserve juror – How do I know if I’m supposed to report for jury duty?
Contact our Reserve Juror Message Line 414-985-6000 the night before your service begins, visit our website, or email us at [email protected]
Is there anyone who is not eligible to report for jury duty?
For jurors who are reporting to the Milwaukee County Courthouse (901 N. 9th St., Milwaukee), there is no free parking near the Courthouse. Jurors should not park on the street because they may not be guaranteed a chance to pay their parking meter. One resource for parking downtown is located here. For jurors who are reporting to the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center (10201 W. Watertown Plan Rd), jurors can park for free anywhere in the surface lot.
Are there other transportation options to get me to the Milwaukee County Courthouse?
Yes. The Milwaukee County Transit system operates buses that can get you close to the Courthouse. Call 414-344-6711 or visit the Transit website for specific route information. There are also bike racks located on the south side of the Courthouse. Jurors who are getting dropped off at the Courthouse must get dropped off at the 10th Street entrance on the west side of the Courthouse.
What if I’m supposed to report for jury duty but I’m sick, have COVID-19 symptoms, or can’t make it due to some other emergency. What should I do?
If you are unable to report for jury duty because of illness or due to an emergency, please call the Jury Services office at 414-278-4469. We ask that you call our office immediately at 8:00 am. If your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail message and we will document your call. If you are unable to complete your jury service due to illness or emergency you will be rescheduled with no pay for the first day.
How do I postpone my jury service?
You can postpone or reschedule your jury duty online by going to the Wisconsin Court System website. You can also call Jury Services staff at 414-278-4469 or email us at [email protected]
What can I bring, and what can’t I bring, if I’m reporting for jury duty?
Jurors can bring a lunch/snacks, laptop or portable electronic devices, water or other beverage, and reading material. Jurors cannot bring the following items for jury duty:
- Aerosols
- Alcohol
- Ammunition
- Awls
- Batons
- Blades
- Bottle/can openers
- Box cutters
- Brass knuckles
- Chains > 6 inches including wallet chains
- Corkscrew
- Drugs/illegal
- Drug paraphernalia
- Explosives
- Metal files
- Firearms
- Forks
- Handcuff or similar small keys
- Metal hair picks
- Comb with a sharp edge or pointed end
- Heavy blunt items
- Nunchucks
- Pepper spray/mace
- Handcuffs, flex-cuffs or any type of restraining device
- Large belt buckles
- Letter openers
- Locks larger than 1inch x1inch
- Lock picking kits
- Knives (illegal if blade >3 inches)
- Razors
- Replica weapons
- Scissors
- Scrapers
- Sharp objects
- Steel bearings
- Switchblade, butterfly knives
- Metal tape measure
- Taser/stun gun/electric weapons
- Throwing stars
- Tire chain
- Tools (screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, saws)
- Tow chain
- Metal kitchen utensils
- Plastic pipework (PVC pipe)
- Oversized walking sticks (Determined by security official)
- Large signs with frames or sticks attached
- Any other item that could be considered a weapon
What do I need to know about jury duty attendance?
Jurors must check in with jury services staff when they arrive for jury duty, and when they return from court. Jurors who do not check in will be marked absent and will not get paid for their service.
Once assigned to a court panel, jurors should report directly to the courtroom where the trial is being held where attendance will be taken and further instructions will be provided.
It is also important to know that if you complete your first day of jury service, you are expected to fully complete your jury service. You will need to be available each day, all day, until 5:00 pm.
When you are released for the day from the jury assembly area or from a courtroom you will be instructed either by Jury Services staff or by the Judge when and where to report the next day. If you are reporting to a Courtroom, you should go directly to the Courtroom and do not need to go to the Jury Assembly area for attendance. Your normal report time is 9:00 a.m. unless the Court or Jury Management staff provide different instructions.
It is extremely important that you arrive on time if you are asked to report to a Courtroom. Courts cannot start or continue unless all jurors are present.
When I’m serving my jury duty, will I get breaks?
Periodic 15-minute breaks will be announced by our staff during your jury service. Breaks are always dependent upon the courts’ schedule. Jurors are only allowed to leave the jury assembly area during these announced breaks. Lunch breaks are generally from 11:45 to 1:15. Jury panels are sent to courtrooms throughout the day, and jurors must return promptly so that court operations can continue without delay.
What amenities are available at the jury duty locations?
The Milwaukee County Courthouse Jury Assembly areas include restrooms, bottled water, Wi-Fi Internet access, and vending machines. There is also a Courthouse Café located on the Ground Floor that offers hot and cold lunch items, including sandwiches, a salad bar, desserts and snacks, and various drinks. There is also an ATM on the Ground Floor of the Courthouse (just outside of the cafeteria) if you need to access cash. For nursing mothers, there is a private Mamava machine located on the third floor of the Courthouse.
Are there accommodations for people with disabilities or for people who need or request special accommodations?
If a juror will need an ASL interpreter or any other accommodations, he or she should contact Jury Services staff as soon as possible at (414) 289-4469 or [email protected]. Jurors will receive a follow-up communication from jury services staff regarding what accommodations have been made for them and what to expect for their jury service experience.
Is smoking allowed at the jury duty locations?
Smoking is not allowed at the County Courthouse or at the Vel Phillips Center. Per County Ordinance, individuals must exit the building to smoke, and anyone who smokes needs to make sure they are at least 30 feet from the building entrance.
Will I get paid for jury duty?
You will be paid a standard juror fee of $8, plus a travel allowance of $9 per day for each morning (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) and $8 for each afternoon (from 12:30 p.m. on) that you are present for jury service. Half-day pay (which is defined as being released before 12:30 p.m. or reporting for jury service after 12:30 p.m.) is $17. Full-day jury service pay is $25.
A check will be mailed to your home within 30 days after the end of your jury duty. No deductions are made from your check for any purpose, and we do not furnish a W-2 form at the end of the year. If your address changed since you were summoned, please inform our Jury Services staff. The jury paychecks expire 60 days after they are printed, so please cash them promptly.
Will I get a letter from you saying that I completed my jury service?
Jury Services staff will provide a form letter for you and your employer showing the days served and the amount of money paid for serving as a juror. These form letters will be distributed directly to jurors after their service is completed, or in other cases the letters will be mailed to jurors. Jury services staff will not mail letters directly to employers.
How was I chosen for jury duty? Will I ever have to do jury duty again?
You were chosen for jury service through a process by which our office receives your names from the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles database, which includes driver’s license data and state identification cards. Voting lists are not currently used for jury management purposes. Once you complete your jury service, you cannot be called to serve again for at least four years.
What happens if there is inclement weather? How do I find out if jury duty or courts are still scheduled?
Call the Jury Management Inclement Weather Line at (414) 985-6200 to find out if jury services have been canceled or postponed. There will be a voicemail message with a weather update. Milwaukee County Courts seldom closes due to weather.
If I serve on a jury, can I talk about the case with my family and friends?
If you are selected for a jury, please do not discuss the case with your fellow jurors or with any family or friends. You should also not post any information about a case (or your jury service) on social media or other online networking forums.