Your Role as a Juror
How a Jury is Selected
About Jury Duty
Conduct of Jurors During A Trial
For More Information
YOUR ROLE AS A JUROR
The unique cornerstone of our justice system is its right to trial by jury: one of the most important rights that Americans enjoy. Jury trials are guaranteed by both the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions. To insure the continuation of that right, you have been called to perform your civic duty as a juror. It is an honor to serve on a jury, and a responsibility which should be accepted with pride.
This page is designed to help you understand the events you will see and hear and the role you will be assuming as a juror. It will also answer some of the questions you may have about jury duty -- where to appear and what will be expected if you are chosen to serve. Most trial procedures are governed by state law, county courts may also make some additional rules of procedure.
The trial judge will instruct you on the special rules that apply to your service. Juror panelists are selected for each of the 21 jury weeks conducted annually in the County. Your inclusion in the jury panel results from a random selection from among 250,000 Northampton County residents.
HOW A JURY IS SELECTED
Common pleas judges are responsible under law for making certain that the selection of jurors is performed in an impartial manner.
In any trial in which a jury is required, the Jury Clerk notifies a specific number of panelists, usually between 35 and 50, to appear in the courtroom for the trial. The trial judge or the attorneys will identify themselves and the parties to the lawsuit and explain the type of case to be tried.
Potential jurors will be questioned as to experience, general feelings and fixed opinions, if any, about the case. You will not be asked about the law because you are not expected to know the law. The trial judge may conduct part of this questioning and the attorneys may participate. This process is called voir dire. It refers to the procedure of selecting from the panel those individuals to decide the factual issues of the particular case in an honest and unbiased manner.
The voir dire process is not conducted out of curiosity; questions posed provide a vehicle for lawyers and the trial judge to test the qualifications of each juror. It is very important that all jurors frankly answer the questions to the best of their ability. Any potential juror may be determined to be unable to make an unbiased and fair decision about the case because he or she is related to the persons, attorneys or parties in the case; or has already made up his or her mind about how the case should be decided; or has been represented by one of the attorneys.
When an attorney seeks to excuse a juror, an attorney requests a challenge for cause. This request will be granted by the trial court only for valid reasons. Each attorney may also excuse a limited number of jurors without giving any reason. This is called peremptory challenge and is made on the basis of an attorney's choice. In a civil case, each party has four peremptory challenges. In most serious criminal proceedings, the prosecution and defense each are allowed seven peremptory challenges. Potential jurors excused with a peremptory challenge should not feel slighted or in any way be offended. There are many different professional reasons for a lawyer to challenge a juror. The attorney is merely using a right given to the party by law.
The 12 jurors selected, and any alternates, will take an oath or affirmation promising to perform their duties as jurors by carefully and fairly deciding the factual dispute, and to follow any instructions on the law which may be given by the judge.
Remember, your task as a juror is to determine the correct facts of each dispute between the parties. Any errors of law which the trial judge makes can be corrected by higher courts, but your decision on the facts usually will not be changed. Therefore, your service as a juror is of extreme importance to the parties. As long as you perform this privileged duty to the best of your ability and make an honest, careful and deliberate decision, the American system of justice will be served, and available for everyone, when it is needed.
ABOUT JURY DUTY
Jury trials in Northampton County are conducted at the Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA. You may enter the Government Center only from the main entrance facing Washington Street, or the basement entrance. Each entrance has walkways to the County parking garage.
The Government Center is secured at each operating entrance with electronic screening devices to assure your safety, and the safety of all who enter. Please be prepared to have a security officer examine hand bags' contents for security purposes. Once inside the court building, you will report directly to the jury lounge on the first floor, where you will receive further instructions from the Jury Clerk.
CONDUCT OF JURORS DURING A TRIAL
A juror must make sure that prior to the time a verdict is reached in the jury room the juror does not engage in conduct which might appear to influence the outcome in favor of one party or the other. The integrity of the jury system requires that jurors decide a case based solely on lawful proceedings within the courtroom. Obviously, outside influences and outside information, not tested by the rules of evidence in the courtroom, unfairly affect cases.
While the trial is in progress and during any recesses, jurors must exercise extreme care not to talk about the case with each other or with another person or allow anyone to discuss the case in their presence. Jurors should not mix and mingle with the lawyers or witnesses for either side, or accept any favor from them, such as a soft drink or a ride home. Jurors should not return to the courtroom or leave the jury lounge except upon instructions of the judge or Jury Clerk. If a juror is approached by anyone about the progress or outcome of the case, he or she should report this communication promptly and privately to the court attendant, who will bring it to the judge's attention.
If you have any questions while the trial is ongoing, do not hesitate to ask the court attendant.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, see the Juror's FAQ and the Trial Procedure Information page
The Jury Clerk will be able to get jurors answers or information not provided on this website. Call 559-3739.
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