To find out if you must report for jury duty:
Please call 318-484-9910 after 5:00 p.m. on the evening before you are scheduled to appear for jury duty.
Civil Jury Summons (Green Card) Reporting Info:
If you have received a civil jury summons for Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, please report to courtroom #4 on the 4th floor at 9 a.m.
Criminal Jury Summons (Gold Card) Reporting Info:
If you have received a criminal jury summons for Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, are no longer required to report.
Any questions regarding jury duty and jury duty exemptions:
Please contact the Rapides Parish Clerks Office (318) 619-5875 or (318) 473-8153
Visit their website at www.rapidesclerk.org.
You may also send your information in by email to
Rapidesjury@rapidesclerk.org or Fax (318) 473-4667.
Please be aware of juror scams in our area. You WILL NOT be called by our office and asked to provide any personal information. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact our office.
How are jurors selected?
The jurors are drawn by a computer from a master list which is compiled by the Rapides Parish Jury Commission. This list is called the General Venire. The Jury Commission compiles the General Venire from drivers license along with the voter registration rolls. When the Jury Commission makes the drawing for a particular jury, each person has as much chance to be drawn for jury service as any other person. As a result, some people are called frequently and some are never chosen.
What do I do if I receive a Summons for jury service?
A SUMMONS is an order to appear in court at the time and place stated on the card. Everyone who is qualified must do jury duty unless the service would result in “undue hardship” or “extreme inconvenience.” You may also ask to be excused if you have actually served on a jury during the past two years.
If you believe:
that you are not qualified for jury service, or
that jury service would be an extreme hardship, or
if you have served on a jury within the past two years,
You may request permission to not appear at the time and place stated on your summons.
Please refer to your jury summons on how to make this request.
PLEASE NOTE:
You must appear unless your request for an excuse/exemption has been accepted by the court. If you have not been excused from jury duty and you do not appear when your name is called, a warrant may be issued for you to appear for a contempt of court hearing.
Please dress in a manner which shows respect for the proceedings. You will not be admitted in shorts or tank tops. Parking may be a problem. Please leave time to find a parking place in the area around the Courthouse.
The Court is very well aware that jury duty is inconvenient. However, it is the duty of every American citizen to serve when called. By performing jury service, you are doing your part for our judicial justice system. You will be reminded of the importance of jury duty in the event you find yourself or someone close to you going through the judicial system.