§ 16-32-106 - Summons of petit jurors.
16-32-106. Summons of petit jurors.
(a) The persons whose names have been selected under 16-32-105 shall be summoned to appear on a date set by the court to answer questions concerning their qualifications and unless excused or disqualified, to serve the required number of days or for the maximum period during the calendar year for which selected unless sooner discharged.
(b) Jurors shall be summoned by the court or by the sheriff, as the court directs, by:
(1) A notice dispatched by first-class mail;
(2) Notice given personally on the telephone; or
(3) Service of summons personally or by such other method as is permitted or prescribed by law.
(c) (1) (A) If a notice is dispatched by first-class mail, the prospective jurors shall be given a date certain to contact the sheriff or the court to confirm receipt of the notice.
(B) Not later than five (5) days before the prospective juror is to appear, the sheriff or the court shall contact the prospective juror if the prospective juror has failed to acknowledge receipt of the notice.
(C) The court shall have discretion to determine whether the sheriff or the court will be the prospective juror's primary contact.
(2) A notice dispatched by first-class mail shall be sent on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts or it shall include the following language:
"You are hereby notified that you have been chosen as a prospective juror. You must notify the sheriff [or the court] on or before .....(date) .....to confirm that you have received this notice. If you do not notify the sheriff [or the court] to confirm this notice, the sheriff [or the court] will contact you and there will be added cost. Please call the sheriff [or the court] at .....(phone number) ......"
(d) Unless excused by the circuit judge, a juror who has been legally summoned and who shall fail to attend on any date when directed to do so may be fined in any sum not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the inherent power of the court to punish for contempt. All excuses granted by the circuit judge shall be noted in the jury book or the computer program described in 16-32-103.