Ramsey County Jury Service

Ramsey County District Court »

JURORS MUST BRING THEIR SUMMONS WITH EACH DAY OF JURY DUTY
 


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!

This message is for jurors whose term of service begins the week of December 9th, who are directed to check for reporting instructions. 

Please read carefully all the way through the entire message.

Call Jury Services during regular business hours before appearing for jury service if you are feeling sick and are likely contagious.
 
Our office is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 651-266-8200. 

REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS: 
The following group numbers need to report to Room 30, Lower Level of the Ramsey County Courthouse, located at 15 W Kellogg Blvd, on Thursday, December 12th by 830AM
 
Group numbers: 36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,
 
If your group number is not listed, you must check for the next update, Thursday at 1130AM for reporting instructions for Thursday afternoon.
 
It is important to note that jurors may be directed to report to the courthouse with just 90 minutes notice for the afternoon, so please plan accordingly.    
 
Please bring your summons form with you to the courthouse. If you do not have your summons, a photo ID will be acceptable.
 
Street parking is not recommended, as once your jury service begins, you may not be able to refresh your meter before it expires. To prevent a ticket or your car being towed, we recommend one of the nearby parking ramps. You can access the City of St. Paul website at Parking in Saint Paul | Saint Paul Minnesota (stpaul.gov) for more information.
 
Jurors are paid $20 per day plus $0.54 per mile, round trip from residence to courthouse, to help cover expenses.
 
Additionally, for those jurors who are already assigned to a courtroom, you must continue to follow the instructions that the Judge has given you. These reporting instructions do not apply to you.
 
Thank you and have a great day.
 

Ramsey County Courthouse is a secured facility and all visitors are subject to weapons screening upon entering.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items WILL be confiscated by security.

  • All weapons (firearms, bullets, knives, etc.)
  • Tasers
  • Tools (screwdriver, hammer, box cutter)
  • Aerosol spray (mace, pepper)
  • Finger nail files and clippers
  • Scissors
  • Needles (knitting, crochet hooks and hair pins)
  • Glass containers (perfume or food containers)
  • Metal utensils
  • Cameras (May have to demonstrate proper function)
Other items may be confiscated at the discretion of the Security Officer
 

Tips to reduce screening time

  • Use all available entrances
  • Remove jackets/coats, belts, watches and heavy jewelry before approaching the screening checkpoint. Place these items in the x-ray container.
  • Put all small items, including loose change, in a jacket/coat pocket, bag or briefcase. Loose metal items in pockets slows the screening process.
There is no secured storage available to jurors. Non-secure storage is available, but jurors are encouraged to keep all valuables with them.

 

Cell Phones

Cell phones and other wireless communication devices may be used when jurors are not in the courtroom or deliberations.

 

Laptops/Tablets

Ramsey County District Court allows jurors to bring and use a laptop computer or similar device while waiting in jury assembly area to be sent to a courtroom. The device(s) must be powered off and put away when in court. Wireless internet is available for use while in the jury assembly room.


Reading Materials

Jurors may bring books, magazines and newspapers, but may not read about any stories related to jury service. A limited number of donated books and magazines are available in the jury assembly room. Newspapers are not allowed in the courtroom.
 

Emergency Phone Number – (651) 266-8200

In an emergency, messages can be delivered to jurors using the number above. Court staff will answer this phone number from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff will relay a message to a juror as soon as possible.


Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the jury area.


T.V. / Game Room

Cable T.V. with basic cable
Puzzles, cards and miscellaneous board games
Full size refrigerator
Microwave

Break Room / Vending Area
A break room with vending is located on the Lower Level of the Courthouse.

Cell Phone Charging Station
A charging station is available for jurors in the Jury Assembly Room (Room 30).

Lactation Room

A dedicated lactation room is available for nursing mothers. See Jury Staff for access code and location.
The Jury Assembly Room is located in the Ramsey County Courthouse:
Ramsey County Courthouse
Room 30, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN 55102


Phone: (651) 266-8200
Fax: (651) 266-8138
 
All courthouse visitors must go through security screening.

The Ramsey County Courthouse has three public entrances:
 

Jurors must pay for their own parking. There is no parking reimbursement.  There are three parking ramps on Wabasha Street within one block of the courthouse and many other options available. See the Saint Paul Parking link below. 

Do not park at a meter. Jurors will not be able to leave the courthouse or access a device during court to reload a meter.

Handicap street parking is limited to 4 hours and requires moving the vehicle over lunch. 

Visit the City of Saint Paul's website for parking and skyway information.

Please note: The Lowry Parking Garage, although closest and most convenient, is valet parking only.
 
Metro Transit offers a complimentary round trip transit pass for jurors who report for jury service.

Disclaimer:  Metro Transit requires that jurors who wish to use the complimentary pass must use the Metro Transit app. Downloading the Metro Transit app and use of the complimentary transit pass is entirely voluntary. Jurors who choose to download the Metro Transit app and use the transit pass do so at their own risk.
 

User Instructions

1. Download the Metro Transit App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Create a new account, or log in if you already have a Metro Transit account.
3. Go to https://www.tokentransit.com/metrotransitmn/jury-duty. On this page, enter the same email address that you used for your Metro Transit account (this is very important: if the email addresses don’t match, it will not work).
4. Enter access code MJBJury.
5. A confirmation page will display and an email will also be sent to you. This may take up to 30 minutes. On your phone, click the link on the confirmation page or click the "Redeem Now" button from the confirmation email. This will open a web page where you can enter the redemption code provided into the Metro Transit app under the “Redeem Code” option in the menu. The code is not case specific and the dash can be entered or omitted (it will work either way). When prompted to choose where your fares get added, we recommend you choose the Metro Transit app (downloaded in the first step). You will then receive two tickets for Metro Transit Bus/METRO Express Rush Hour service, valid for use in both Rush Hour and Non-Rush Hour timeframes.
  
Please note: This promotion is only valid one time per user. Jurors should not activate any tickets until they are ready to ride.