Beware of Jury Scams
Please be aware that if you miss jury service the court will never ask a law enforcement officer to do the following over the phone:
- collect a fine from you,
- collect personal information,
- or serve a warrant
Scammers are spoofing law enforcement phone numbers, so if you are unsure, hang up and call the law enforcement agency directly.
If you receive a suspicious phone call of this nature, hang up, and promptly report the call your local Sheriff's Office.
Information about jury scams »
Welcome Ramsey County Jurors!
Trial by jury is a basic American right, enshrined in both our State and Federal Constitutions. As a prospective juror, you have an opportunity to participate directly in a critical component of our democracy. Jury Duty … an obligation, an honor.
Juror Selection
Each district court randomly selects names from the lists of registered voters and people with driver licenses or state issued identification cards who live in that district. The people randomly selected must complete a questionnaire to help determine if they are qualified to serve on a jury. Those qualified are randomly chosen to appear for jury duty. This selection process helps to make sure that jurors represent a cross section of the community, without regard to race, gender, national origin, age, or political affiliation.
Jury Pool to Jury Box
Being summoned for jury service does not guarantee that a person will actually serve on a jury. When a jury is needed for a trial, the group of qualified jurors is taken to the courtroom where the trial will take place. The judge and the attorneys then ask the prospective jurors questions to determine their suitability to serve on the jury, a process called voir dire. The judge typically determines if a prospective juror is able to decide the case fairly and may exclude those who cannot. The attorneys also may exclude a certain number of jurors without giving a reason.
Types of Cases Heard by Juries
There are two categories of cases that use juries.
1. Criminal: An individual is accused of committing a crime. A jury of six to twelve people, plus alternates, hear testimony and are presented evidence. The jury must reach a unanimous decision before finding a defendant "guilty." The government must prove the defendant committed the crime "beyond a reasonable doubt."
2. Civil: Disputes between people or businesses over money, injury or damages, return of property, civil rights, or other non-criminal matter. A jury of at least six, but no more than twelve make up a civil jury. The standard of proof in a civil matter is a "preponderance of the evidence."
Working Together: Judge and Jury
The judge determines the appropriate law that should be applied to the case and the jury finds the facts in the case based on what is presented to them during the proceedings.
At the end of a trial, the judge instructs the jury on the applicable law. While the jury must obey the judge's instructions as to the law, the jury alone is responsible for determining the facts of the case.
Jurors are on call in Ramsey County for one week. If a juror is not on a case by the end of the first week, jury service is over; however, if assigned to a trial, the juror must serve on the trial until dismissed. Many trials last longer than a week and all jurors are required to be available to serve two full weeks. You should plan ahead and make sure you have no appointments or scheduling conflicts during the two week term of service.
Court hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
Jurors selected for a trial will receive specific reporting instructions from the judge trying the case. Trials are typically in session from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a noon lunch break.
Jurors are paid $20 per day, plus round trip mileage at 54 cents per mile from your residence to the courthouse to cover all expenses including parking. Jurors are only paid for the days they are required to physically report to the courthouse.
Jurors are "on call" for one week.
First Check-in (Weekend): Jurors must either call the juror information line at (651) 266-8232 and listen to a recorded announcement, or check the Juror Reporting Instructions Tab on this web page anytime after 5:00 p.m. the day before your term of service is scheduled to begin (listed on the top right of the summons form). The announcement will contain reporting information by Call in/Group (group) number.
If your group number is needed to report, the announcement will include what time and location to report for your jury service. If your group number is not needed, the announcement will give further reporting directions.
In addition to the weekend call, jurors must check reporting instructions two times a day during the first week of service until called in or released from further service. The call in schedule during the week is 11:30 a.m. for same afternoon reporting and after 5:00 p.m. for the next morning reporting.
Please pay close attention to the Juror Reporting Instructions, making sure to note the reporting times for your group number and any additional instructions.
ONLY REPORT TO THE COURTHOUSE WHEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE Juror Reporting Instructions.
Jurors who are not instructed to report to the courthouse for a particular day are not paid for that day and should plan work accordingly.
Prospective Jurors who have significant difficulties with the call-in procedure or scheduling conflicts should contact the Jury Office at (651) 266-8200 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the business day before your term of service to discuss alternatives. You must speak with a live agent in order to make other arrangements.
Browse the tabs on this page for information about serving as a juror in Ramsey County. For
Frequently Asked Questions,
information about the juror questionnaire, and other general information visit the
Statewide Jury Service Information page.
Jury Assembly Room, 30 Lower Level
Ramsey County Courthouse
15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 266-8200
Fax: (651) 266-8138
Thank you for your service!