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FAQs

  • How long should I expect to be at the courthouse for jury selection?

    On the first day, jury selection, you should plan to be at the courthouse from 8:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m.  If you are selected to serve as a juror, the presiding Judge will give you the schedule of the trial.

  • How will I know if I have been excused, deferred or disqualified from jury service?

    Any requests submitted through the eJuror system will be reviewed within 48 hours. 

    Any requests submitted in paper form will be reviewed within 48 hours after receipt.  

    If you provided your email address, you will receive an email if you have been excused, disqualified, or deferred from jury service.  You may also call the automated jury message line 1-888-272-3073 for an updated message.

  • How will I know when I have to report for jury service?

    The Court uses an automated telephone system to schedule jurors.  The telephone system will not work for you unless you have returned your juror qualification questionnaire. 

    Please call the automated phone system 1-866-277-3073 and enter your nine digit participant number after 6:00 p.m. on the night prior to your reporting date.  Note:  if you are scheduled to report on Monday, this message will be updated by 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

    If you are required to report, the message will instruct you of your reporting date and time. 

    If you are not required to report, the message will instruct you when to call again.

    You are required to call the automated phone system before each tentative reporting date on your summons.

  • Where do I park?

    BALTIMORE:  No public parking is available at the courthouse.  Private parking lots and garages are available for hourly/daily rates within walking distance of the courthouse.  Please submit your parking receipt with your reimbursement form.  Do not leave and then return to the parking lot during the day unless you are willing to pay the fee for parking a second time.  You will only be reimbursed one parking allowance per day. 

    GREENBELT:  Public parking on site. 

  • Can I take a “private” transportation service?

    The court will not reimburse for any private transportation services, such as Uber, Lyft, or Taxi.

  • Can I take “public” transportation?

    Yes, you many use public transportation, such as MTA or Commuter Bus, Light Rail, or Subway. 

  • I do not live in Baltimore City or Prince George’s County, why did I receive a summons for this area?

    You are being summonsed to the Federal Court for the District of Maryland.  There are two courthouse locations in the State:  Baltimore City and Greenbelt.  The following counties report to the respective locations:

    BALTIMORE SUMMONS:  Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Worcester Counties.

    GREENBELT SUMMONS:  Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s Counties

  • I no longer live in the state of Maryland. Am I still required to serve?

    If you are no longer a resident in Maryland, you are unable to serve in our District.  Please log onto eJuror to update your address. 

  • I already served jury duty in STATE court. I thought I was excused from any further jury service?

    Prior STATE court service does NOT excuse you from serving at the Federal Court.

  • Can I be transferred to a Court closer to my home?

    No.  The Federal Court conducts business in two locations in the state of Maryland:  Baltimore and Greenbelt. 

  • What should I wear?

    Jurors are expected to dress in a manner reflective of the formality of the court proceedings and to preserve the dignity of the Court.  Clothing should remain appropriate for a respectable environment.  Specifically, t-shirts or other apparel with offensive, political or inappropriate language or imagery are not permitted.  You may wish to bring a sweater or jacket as temperatures vary in the courtrooms. 

  • What can not be brought into the courthouse?

    All persons entering any federal court facility in the District of Maryland will be subject to appropriate screening. You will not be permitted to enter the courthouse with any weapons, pocket knives, scissors, silverware, cameras, radios, or any recording equipment. 

  • I tried to log into eJuror, but the error message says that my participant number is incorrect.

    Please verify that you are contacting the correct court.  Participant numbers for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland are nine digits and begin with 102. If your participant number does not fit these criteria, please contact the court listed on your summons.

  • I hit the “back” button in my web browser to return to the previous page and now I am unable to log back in.

    Hit the “Refresh” button on the toolbar to reload the page.  To avoid this error, use the “back” and “next” buttons at the bottom of the page.  Do not use the back and forward buttons on your browser. You may need to exit your browser completely, wait 3-5 minutes, and log in again. If the online form is still not working, you may request a paper questionnaire/summons be mailed to you by calling 1-833-844-4421.

  • When/how will I get paid?

    Once your service is over, you will submit your completed reimbursement form to our office for processing.  Juror checks are mailed within two weeks, once we receive your form.  Checks are issued by the US Treasury to the address we have on file.

  • What do you reimburse?

    Juror Attendance Fees:  $50 per day, unless you are a federal government employee

    Mileage:  $0.725 per mile.  The most direct route from your residence to the courthouse.  https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-a-trip/transportation-airfare-rates-pov-rates-etc/privately-owned-vehicle-pov-mileage-reimbursement

    Parking:  Actual Cost, please submit a receipt or payment documentation

    Tolls:  Actual Cost, please include on your reimbursement form.

  • Can I stay in a hotel?

    Yes, if you live more than 50 miles (one way) from the courthouse, you may choose to stay in a hotel any night before you are required to report.

    You are required to submit an itemized receipt from the hotel for all costs incurred.  The use of online booking sites is strongly discouraged due to their rigid cancellation policies.  If used, jurors do so at their own risk of not being fully reimbursed, as the court does not reimburse for booking fees or if you are not required to report for jury service. 

    When making hotel reservations, be sure to let the hotel know you are a Federal Court juror and ask for the federal government rate.  If you exceed the hotel reimbursement rate, the jury office will not be able to pay the difference. 

    The court will not reimburse for valet parking expenses, if self parking is available.  A receipt for parking must be provided for reimbursement.

    All jurors are expected to checkout the morning of their last day of service.

    https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates

  • Will I receive a statement for my taxes?

    The IRS considers juror attendance fees to be Other income.  At the end of each year, a 1099 MISC form will be mailed to all jurors who earn $2,000 or more in attendance fees in the calendar year.  This applies only to “attendance fees” and not for reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage, tolls, etc.)

  • How do I get proof of my jury service to give to my employer?

    Log into your eJuror account and select “Attendance Letter” from the menu on the left.  You may print a copy for your records.