Jury Management

Responsibilities

The Office of Jury Management is responsible for summoning citizens of Butler County to jury service. In addition, the office handles all requests for deferrals and medical excusals from jury duty.

Role of a Juror

The role of a juror is extremely important in our democratic form of government. Participation by all qualified citizens ensures the people, and not the government, are the arbiters of disputes where the freedom of the accused or the property rights of any citizen is at issue. By serving when called, you fulfill a vital service to the community and fellow citizens.

Qualify & Summon Jurors

The Jury Management System utilizes a two-step process to qualify and summon jurors. Initially, individuals randomly selected from a combined "Master List" of voter registration rolls are mailed juror questionnaires. Eligible citizens are placed in the "Pool of Qualified Jurors." As the needs of the Court require, qualified jurors are selected at random and mailed a Summons to Appear for a specific service date.

Juror Service

On average, the Court utilizes the services of 5,000 jurors annually in the Criminal and Civil Divisions. Citizens summoned for service will report to the Butler County Government/Judicial Center. Obviously, not all jurors reporting for service are selected for trial cases. However, citizens who appear but are not selected have fulfilled his or her responsibility. Jurors fulfilling this obligation will be exempt from Jury Service for 3 years.

Trial by jury is a fundamental principle of our system of justice. Jury Service is, therefore, both an opportunity and an obligation of every United States citizen.