Your name is taken from the voter registration list for the State of Louisiana. Subsequently, you are mailed a qualification questionnaire form to complete and return to the Court. After the Court determines that you are qualified to serve, your name is entered into a pool and you may be randomly summoned either as a grand juror or a petit juror.   After you complete your term of service, it is unlikely that you will be called again for a period of two years.

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A PETIT jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases.  The PETIT jury listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict.  A verdict in a civil case may be a finding for the plaintiff or for the defendant.  A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.

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A Grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed.  The evidence is  normally presented only by an attorney for the government.  The grand jury must determine from this evidence whether a person should have formal charges filed by the government.  If the grand jury finds probable cause, then it will return a written statement of the charges called an "indictment."

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Be sure to bring your Notice to Report with you when you report for jury duty.   Since there can be extended periods of time when you will not be needed in the courtroom, you may want to bring a book, magazine, or needlework.  Please bring a sweater or jacket since the courtrooms are often quite cool.  If you have special dietary needs, you may bring your food or snacks with you.

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All jurors must wear appropriate attire for jury duty. Shorts, T-shirts, and thong sandals are not considered appropriate attire.  Please bring a sweater or jacket since the courtrooms are often quite cool.

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This Court tries both civil and criminal cases, and it is possible that you may be selected for either or both.

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It is extremely important that you be prompt both in the morning and when returning from lunch. It is particularly important when you are selected to serve on a trial since the entire proceeding can be delayed because of the tardiness of one juror, and you could be held in contempt.  If you are delayed due to circumstances beyond your control, call the jury section, (504) 589 -7730, to inform the court of your situation.

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You may request a Certificate of Attendance from the jury clerk. The certificate will be available before you leave the courthouse at the end of the day if you are not a selected juror, or at the end of the trial if you are selected.  If your employer requires specific times of reporting and dismissal, you will need to notify the jury section of this when you report.

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You may park in any of the surrounding commercial parking lots.  Make a note to yourself what the lot charges you for a daily rate.   The court will reimburse you for your parking expenses, not on the day you report, but when you receive your check for attendance.  So you should bring enough money with you to pay for parking.

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Contact the jury section, (504) 589-7730, prior to the beginning of your term of service.  The clerks will be happy to work with you on this.

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You should leave the jury assembly room or the courtroom only with permission from the jury clerk or from the presiding judge.

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If your family needs to contact you, they can call the Jury Section, 589-7730 and someone will get a message delivered to you.

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There is a snack bar on the first floor of the Hale Boggs Building.  You will want to bring funds to purchase lunch at a nearby restaurant in the event you must stay past the noon hour during jury selection.   You may also bring your lunch.  Coffee, sodas, juice and bottled water is provided for jurors in the jury lounge.  A coin operated snack machine is also located in the Jury Lounge.  Please bring change.

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A $40.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you are required to and do report for duty, whether or not you are selected to serve.  Fifty and a half cents (50.5¢) per mile round trip from your home to the courthouse is allowed as reimbursement for your travel expense.  If the exact mileage is unknown, the court has a mileage chart which we will use to determine your mileage.  You will also be reimbursed for any bridge or ferry tolls you may have to pay, but not for taxi fares or bus fares.  These provisions are established by law and are not determined by the court.

Your check for attendance during any week you report for the jury panel will usually be mailed to you within 10 to 20 days of your initial day of service.  Allow a few days for the post office to make delivery.

The $40.00 attendance fee must be reported as income for tax purposes.  You must keep a record of the amounts you receive as no tax has been withheld and no W-2 forms are furnished.  However, you do not need to report the travel allowance or parking as income.

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Any juror who fails to report for jury duty and who is not excused by the Court may be served with a Show Cause Order by the U.S. Marshal's Office. Subsequently, those jurors will be required to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Jury Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of $100.00 to three days imprisonment, or both (U.S.C. 28 Section 1866(g)).

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