Many people only think about jury duty when a summons arrives. In Indiana, serving on a jury is a civic obligation. Understanding juror qualifications, selection methods, and potential exemptions can help residents prepare if called. This article explains how Indiana’s jury system works.
How the Jury Pool Is Formed
The Indiana jury system starts by creating a master list of potential jurors for each county. This list is compiled from two main sources: the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ records of licensed drivers and identification cardholders aged 18 and older, and the list of registered voters.1Indiana Rules of Court. Jury Rule 2: Jury Pool This aims to include a wide range of the community.
These source lists are merged into a county-wide master list. Court rules emphasize including all adult persons in the county. The master list is updated at least annually to keep it accurate by removing those who have moved or passed away and adding new eligible residents.
From this master list, smaller groups are randomly chosen for specific court jury pools within the county. This random selection helps prevent bias. The number of people selected depends on how many jurors the courts expect to need. Those chosen receive a summons, starting the next phase of the jury selection process.
Qualifications for Participation
To serve on a jury in Indiana, a person must meet several legal requirements. United States citizenship is necessary. A potential juror must also live in the county where they are summoned.
Individuals must be at least eighteen years old. They also need to understand and communicate in English, as court proceedings are in English.
Indiana law also states that a person is not qualified if a physical or mental disability prevents them from performing juror duties; documentation might be requested. A prior felony conviction also disqualifies someone if their voting rights have not been restored.2Indiana Rules of Court. Jury Rule 5: Disqualification
Permissible Exemptions
Indiana law allows for exemptions from jury duty in specific, narrowly defined situations. Exemptions are only granted if a statute provides for them; otherwise, qualified individuals must serve.
Prospective jurors aged seventy-five or older can request an exemption.3Justia Law. Indiana Code § 33-28-5-18: Disqualification or Excuse From Jury Service (2022) This is not automatic; the individual must tell the court they wish to be excused.
Nursing mothers can also be exempt. A woman is exempt if she is breastfeeding and provides a written statement to the court. This exemption lasts as long as she is breastfeeding. These exemptions are different from deferring service to a later date.
Summons and Response Requirements
After random selection, a summons is issued. This court directive tells the prospective juror where and when to report, and includes an identification number and instructions. Summonses, along with a juror qualification form, are mailed to the address on record.
When you receive a summons, you must complete and return the juror qualification form. This form helps the court see if you meet the qualifications. The form must be returned to the jury administrator, often within ten days of mailing, or as the court specifies.4Justia Law. Indiana Code § 33-28-5-16: Juror Qualification Form; Mailing; Contents (2024) It can be completed online or by mail.
You must answer the questions on the qualification form truthfully and completely, as false information can lead to legal issues. The summons will also have instructions for confirming attendance or requesting a deferral if you have a conflict.
Voir Dire in Indiana
After the summons and qualification steps, the next stage is voir dire. This is an in-court examination of prospective jurors by the judge and attorneys. Its purpose is to find any biases that would prevent a juror from being impartial. Prospective jurors are sworn to answer all questions truthfully.
The process starts with the judge explaining the case and introducing the parties and lawyers.5Indiana Rules of Court. Jury Rule 14: Introduction to Case The judge then begins questioning prospective jurors, and attorneys for each side may also ask questions. The goal of this questioning is to find any reason a juror might not be able to be impartial.
During voir dire, jurors can be challenged. Challenges for cause are made if a juror doesn’t meet legal qualifications or shows bias. Reasons for a challenge for cause include having served on a jury that reached a verdict in the past year, being unable to understand evidence, having an interest in a similar case, or having already formed an opinion. There’s no limit to the number of challenges for cause.
Attorneys can also use peremptory challenges to remove a certain number of jurors without giving a reason, but these challenges cannot be based on race or gender. The number of peremptory challenges allowed depends on the type of case:
- For cases seeking the death penalty or life without parole: Twenty per side.
- For other murder cases and Level 1 through Level 5 felonies: Ten per side.
- For all other crimes: Five per side.
- In civil cases: Three per side.6Indiana Rules of Court. Jury Rule 18: Number of Peremptory Challenges
Extra challenges are often given for selecting alternate jurors. This process of questioning and challenging continues until the final jury is selected and sworn in.
Potential Legal Consequences for Noncompliance
A jury summons in Indiana is a legal order to respond and participate. Failing to comply can lead to legal consequences.
If you don’t appear for jury duty or fail to return the juror qualification form, the court can take action. This may include being punished for contempt of court, which means disobeying a court order or showing disrespect for the court’s authority.
Penalties for contempt can include fines or, in serious cases, jail time. Indiana law allows the court to require attendance and punish for contempt if a summoned juror intentionally fails to show up without a good reason.7Justia Law. Indiana Code § 33-28-5-23: Penalties for Failure to Appear for Jury Service (2024) The judge decides the penalties based on the specific situation.