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Jury Services
COVID-19 Jury update
Updated 1/7/2021: Because the lead time between summoning and reporting is three weeks, our Office will continue to send out juror summonses and issue waivers as the situation dictates. Citizens summoned for jury service are encouraged to follow the registration directions on their notice, all the while staying alert for developments at the Pasco courthouses by checking in here, or our social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter.
Updated 12/29/2020: Jury trials in Pasco County are suspended until pandemic conditions improve, the result of a recent surge in positive COVID-19 tests locally. The decision, announced Dec. 29 by Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino, extends his original Dec. 9 announcement that suspended jury trials through the end of 2020. No juries will be impaneled in either of the two courthouses in Pasco until the suspension is lifted.
Updated 9/1/2020: In accordance with Administrative Order 2020-027 PA/PI-CIR, Pasco County has transitioned into Phase 2 court operations, which allows for a return to in-person jury trials. Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC20-23, Amendment 6, creates excusal and postponement options to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. To review excusal and postponement options, proceed to the section below labeled "Postponement or Excusal."
To ensure the well-being of all jurors reporting for jury service:
- Each person entering the courthouse will undergo a health screening.
- Face masks covering the nose and mouth shall be worn inside the courthouse.
- The Jury Assembly Room and courtrooms are configured to maintain social distancing.
- Hand-sanitizing stations are available throughout the building; frequently touched surfaces are sanitized regularly.
JURY PROCEEDINGS AND JURY TRIAL
You have been chosen, by random selection, from a list of persons holding a driver’s license or identification card issued by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for the honor and privilege of jury service. Your appearance is critical, the right to trial by jury is one of the principles guaranteed by the Constitution and is a crucial part of our justice system. The Clerk & Comptroller’s Office thanks you for your jury service, and we hope your experience will be interesting and positive.
Jury trials are held in Dade City and New Port Richey. The specific location you are to report is provided on your jury summons. If you fail to report for jury service and have not obtained an excusal, the Court may impose a fine and hold you in contempt of court.
Register for Jury Service
Important Notice – Scam Alert!
Jury summonses are mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. The Clerk & Comptroller’s Office never contacts by phone jurors who failed to appear. Additionally, law enforcement will not, and does not, demand payment, in lieu of arrest, due to failure to appear for jury service. Should you receive a phone call saying you have failed to report for jury service, and you are asked for personal information or payment, this is a potential scam. Read the public notice about the scheme (PDF).
- Reporting Instructions
- Compensation
- Attire
- Security
- Parking
- Electronic Devices
- Amenities
- Term of Service
- Postponement or Excusal
- Bus Service
- Restoration of Civil Rights
Reporting Instructions
You may obtain juror reporting instructions online. Instructions are available after 5 p.m. the evening before the reporting date located on your summons (including Sundays and holidays).
To hear a recorded message, call one of the following:
- Dade City: (352) 521-4200 or (800) 253-7734
- New Port Richey: (727) 847-8900 or (800) 253-7731
Have your juror sequence number ready before you call. This can be found in the section with your name and juror ID number. View an example juror summons: example juror summons (JPG).
If you prefer to receive text or email notifications regarding your jury service, be sure to include your phone number and/or email address when registering.
Further Assistance
If you are unable to view the juror reporting instructions or if the telephone recording is not operational, report for jury service as directed by your summons.
For assistance:
- Dade City: (352) 521-4454 or (800) 368-2411, Ext. 4454
- New Port Richey: (727) 847-8044 or (800) 368-2411, Ext. 8044
Persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodations should call no later than seven days prior to any proceeding. Call one of the following numbers:
- Pasco County Customer Service Center: (727) 847-2411
- Pasco County Risk Management Office: (727) 847-8028
Compensation
Chapter 40.24, Florida Statutes, establishes juror compensation.
A juror who is not regularly employed or who does not continue to receive regular wages during jury service is entitled to $15 per day.
Regular employment includes full-time, part-time, temporary, or casual employment, as long as the employment hours of a juror can be reasonably determined.
A juror who is employed and continues to receive regular wages while serving as a juror is not entitled to compensation by the State for the first three days of jury service.
All jurors required to serve more than three days will be compensated at $30 per day beginning on the fourth day of jury service.
Attire
Jurors should appear for jury service in a manner respectful of the court; everyday business attire is suggested and appreciated. Shorts, capris, undershirts, tank tops, etc. are not acceptable. Any person not appropriately dressed may be held in contempt of court or rescheduled to another date.
It is recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket for your comfort in the air-conditioned courtrooms.
Security
The following items are prohibited in the courthouse:
- Aerosol cans
- Bladed weapons
- Box cutters
- Chains
- Chemical weapons
- Clay and/or putty material
- Firearms
- Glass containers of any type or size
- Handcuffs/handcuff keys or any other restraining devices
- Impact weapons
- Knitting needles
- Oversized belt buckles
- Pepper spray
- Razors
- Scissors
- Tape measures
- Tools
Parking
Dade City
Parking for the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center is on the south side of the building facing Live Oak Avenue.
New Port Richey
Parking for the West Pasco Judicial Center is on the north side of the building facing Citizen Drive.
Electronic Devices
Pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order SC12-764 (PDF), electronic devices will be removed from all members of a jury panel before juror deliberations begin. Your device may be removed at other stages of the trial, as directed by the presiding judge.
Amenities
For your convenience, a refrigerator and microwave are available in the Jury Assembly Room. You may bring lunch and/or snacks when reporting for jury service.
To make your service as comfortable as possible, the Jury Assembly Room includes the following features:
- ATM (only available in New Port Richey)
- Courteous and helpful staff
- Free Wi-Fi
- Lactation room
- Lockers
- Microwave
- Refrigerator/Freezer
- Snack bar (only available in New Port Richey)
- Vending machines
Term of Service
Pursuant to Chapter 40.41, Florida Statutes, the length of service for a juror shall not exceed 1 day unless the juror is assigned to or impaneled on a trial or unless the court orders otherwise.
Excusals
If you qualify for an exemption, excusal, or postponement, submit your request online or contact our office. You may confirm whether you are required to report by registering online.
Mandatory Exemptions
You may not serve on a jury in Pasco County if one of the following exemptions applies to you:
- Convicted of a felony, unless civil rights restored
- Nonresident of Florida
- Nonresident of Pasco County
- Not a U.S. citizen
- Served as a juror in Pasco County within the last 12 months
- Under prosecution for any crime
Optional Exemptions
Upon request, the following persons may be excused from jury service:
- Expectant mother
- Full-time law enforcement officer/investigative officer
- Full-time student
- Medical reasons (requires doctor's statement)
- A parent who is not employed full-time and has custody of a child under 6 years of age
- A person 70 years of age or older
- A person with a physical or mental incapacity who is permanently incapable of caring for one's self (requires doctor's statement)
COVID-19 Excusals
Upon request, under the penalty of perjury, the following persons may be eligible to be excused from jury service, pending judicial approval:
- Would not pass a health screening because he or she has any of the following symptoms excluding those due to a known medical reason other than COVID-19:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or more
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Has experienced symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
- Has had close contact with someone with a COVID-19 diagnosis or is awaiting COVID-19 test results within the past 14 days
- Is currently awaiting test results to determine if the potential juror has COVID-19
- Is otherwise under restrictions to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19
- Is someone at a higher risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and requests to be excused. People at increased risk for severe illness are presently identified by the CDC as older adults (65 years or more) and people of any age with the following underlying medical conditions:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
- Obesity (body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher)
- Serious heart conditions
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Is caring for a child or relative whose regular care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19
- Is receiving leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
COVID-19 Postponements
Upon request, under the penalty of perjury, the following persons may be eligible to receive a postponement for up to six months, pending judicial approval:
- Has recently returned to work after being unemployed due to COVID-19
- Has suffered a financial or personal loss due to COVID-19 that makes it a hardship to perform jury service
Bus Service
Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will provide free bus service for all jurors during their term of service. To receive the free transportation service, jurors simply present their summons to the driver. The summons will only serve as a free bus pass on the first day of jury service.
The jury coordinator will provide bus passes for jurors who are required to serve additional days. Please note this free bus service is only available for the length of your jury service. For a complete list of routes and schedules, visit the PCPT website.
Contact Information
Pasco County Public Transportation
8620 Galen Wilson Boulevard
Port Richey, FL 34668
West Pasco: (727) 834-3322
East Pasco: (727) 521-4587
Central Pasco: (727) 235-6073
Email Pasco County Public Transportation
Restoration of Civil Rights
For more information on the restoration of civil rights, visit the Florida Parole Commission's website, or call toll free: (800) 488-2952.
CONTACT US |
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Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center
38053 Live Oak Avenue, Suite 104
Dade City, FL 33523-3805
Phone: (352) 521-4542, Opt. 1
Toll Free: (800) 368-2411, Ext. 4542
West Pasco Judicial Center
7530 Little Road, Suite 102
New Port Richey, FL 34654-5598
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 338
New Port Richey, FL 34656-0338
Phone: (727) 847-8031, Opt. 1
Toll Free: (800) 368-2411, Ext. 8031