Greene County Jury Information

Overview

Jurors are selected by computer randomization from Voter Registration and Department of Revenue records and sent a summons approximately four weeks prior to the date they are to report. Jurors are on call for one week / one trial. In order to minimize the amount of time juror’s lives are disrupted, jurors are instructed to call an automated message line the night before their report date to assure that there has been no change in their reporting instructions. Sometimes the Court cancels all or part of the jurors it has summoned and jurors can determine this by following the call-in instructions.

The Summons 

Log into www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror on a computer, tablet, or smartphone and complete the online qualification form and questionnaire within 10 days of receiving your summons.

If you are unavailable for service the week you were instructed to report use the Postpone button on the Jury Homepage of the Show-Me Jury eJuror website and select the week you are available to serve.  This applies to work conflicts, scheduled vacations, scheduled doctor’s appointments, etc.

If you are requesting a disqualification or excusal due to mental health or medical reasons you MUST upload a doctor’s note at least 2 weeks before your report date.  Requests that do not have an associated doctor’s note will be denied.

Documents supporting a request for disqualification or excusal may uploaded from a computer file or from the camera of a tablet or smartphone.

Bring the bottom portion of the summons when you report for jury duty.

Verifying Report Date

Call the automated message line after 5:00 p.m. the evening before you are to report. This is usually a Sunday evening. Occasionally jurors are required to report later in the week in which they are scheduled. A recorded message will announce reporting instructions. 

Message Line: 868-4819 or 868-4820

Reporting For Jury Duty

Report time is 8:30 a.m.
Report to the Greene County Judicial Building located at 1010 N Boonville, Springfield, Mo 65802.  (This is NOT the Historic Courthouse located at the corner of Boonville and Central). Please allow ample time for parking and security screening.

Security screening is conducted on all persons entering the Judicial Courts Building. Be prepared to remove watches, jewelry, belts and/ or any other items that may trigger screening devices. Individuals carrying prohibited items will be required to dispose of them before entering the building. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: 

• any firearm or other weapon

• any sharp objects such as metal utensils, knitting needles, scissors
  tools or knives of any sort

• flammable chemicals including hair spray, pepper spray or mace

• cigarette lighters.

Jury selection usually lasts the entire day. Typically there is a one hour lunch break around noon and a brief restroom break mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Jurors are allowed to make/ receive calls as well as use electronic devices during breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions and Items of Interest

How was I selected for jury service?

Jurors are selected by computer randomization of names from a minimum of two government records including, but not limited to, personal property tax list, voter's registration list, and driver's license records.

What constitutes jury service?

There are two ways to complete jury service.  The first is to appear in person and serve until you are released, regardless of whether or not you were selected as a juror for a case.  The second is to be summoned and have your service cancelled by the Court.  To find out if your current service has been canceled call the automated message line (868-4819) after 5:00 p.m. the evening before your report date.

How long should I expect to serve on jury duty?

On the day you are to report, please plan on being at the courthouse the entire day, occasionally after 5:00 p.m.  The jury selection process is usually completed in one day but may take longer in some cases.  Most jurors go through only one selection process and those not selected for the jury panel are released at the end of the selection.  If you are selected as a juror in a case the average length of a trial is about 3 days.  During the selection process you will be told how long the particular case you are being considered for is expected to last.  

Where and when do I report?

Report to the Jury Assembly Room on the 1st Floor of the Greene County Judicial Building located at 1010 N Boonville, Springfield, Mo 65802.  (This is NOT the Historic Courthouse located at the corner of Boonville and Central.)  Your specific report date and time are printed on the lower left front of your Juror Summons.  To verify your report date and time call the automated message line (417-868-4819 or 417-868-4820) after 5:00 p.m. the evening before your scheduled report date.  Report time is typically 8:30 a.m.

What happens if I fail to appear for jury service?

A person who willfully fails to appear for jury service is in civil contempt of court.  The Court may issue an order directing the person to a hearing where the person would be required to show good cause for failure to appear as summoned.  If the individual fails to show good cause for failing to appear, the Court may impose a fine for as much as $500 and may order the prospective juror to perform community service for a time no less than would have been spent in jury service.  The juror is also re-summoned for jury service.

Where do I park?

Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Judicial Courts Building, the lot directly across the street (on the west side of Boonville) and in the lot to the north of the court building, accessed at the stoplight in front of Pipkin Middle School.  Please allow ample time for parking.

How should I dress for jury service?

Appropriate dress is required.  Think business casual.   Jeans are allowed but shorts, tank tops, and tee-shirts are not considered appropriate.  Hats are not allowed in the courtroom. Temperatures in the building vary and it is recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket with you. 

Cell phones, laptops and electronic equipment: are they allowed?

Yes, cell phones are allowed to be brought into the courthouses.  However, they must be turned to silent or vibrate while you are in the jury assembly room and courtroom.  Laptops and other electronic devices are also allowed, and free WiFi access is available for jurors.

What if there is an emergency and someone needs to contact me?

If someone needs to contact a juror in an emergency, they may call the jury office 417-868-4821.  They may also contact the trial division in which the juror is serving.

Will the Court pay me for jury service?

If you serve on a jury for 3 days or more, including the day of jury selection, you will receive payment of $50 per day beginning on the third day of service through the end of the trial.  A check will be mailed by the Greene County Treasurer to the address on file with Jury Services approximately 4 weeks after the completion of the trial.  There is no payment for serving one or two days.

Will my employer pay me while I am on jury duty?

The law does not require an employer to pay regular wages while an employee is serving on jury duty however some employers do.  We suggest you ask your employer for their jury service policy.

Can my employer penalize me for reporting to jury duty?

No, Missouri Revised Statute 494.460 prohibits an employer from taking adverse actions against an employee because that employee received or responded to a jury summons.  In addition, an employee may not be required to use available leave for time spent responding to a jury summons, time spent participating in the jury selection process, or time spent actually serving on a jury.

I completed jury service within the last 24 months; do I need to serve again?

No.  If you completed Greene County jury service in the last 24 months you are entitled to be excused.  Log into the Show-Me Jury eJuror website at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror, complete the qualification form and questionnaire, and select Excuse Code “Served within Last 24 Months.”  If you served under a different name or different address please enter that information.  If you would like to serve again you are free to do so by not selecting the Excuse option.

I received a jury summons for someone who doesn’t live at my address.  What should I do?

Please write “Not At This Address” on the summons envelope and return it to us by placing it in the mail.  

I received a jury summons for a deceased family member.  What should I do?

Log onto the Show-Me Jury eJuror website at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror.  Using the nine digit ID on the summons log into the qualification form and affirm that the summoned individual is deceased.

Is there an age limit?

You must be 21 years of age to serve as a juror and Missouri does not have a maximum age limit for jury service.

I don’t live in Greene County do I still have to appear for jury service?

Only current residents of Greene County are eligible for jury service.  If you do not live in Greene County log into Show-Me Jury eJuror at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror, complete the qualification form and questionnaire, being sure to update your name and address information.  If you enter an email address or cell phone number we will notify you of your disqualification.  DO NOT appear for jury service.

I am a medical professional must I report for jury service?

Any person licensed as a health care provider as such term is defined in Missouri Revised Statute 538.205, may be excused, but only if such person provides a written statement to the Court certifying that he/she is actually providing health care services to patients, and that the person’s service as a juror would be detrimental to the health of the person’s patients. Use the Show-Me Jury eJuror website at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror to notify the jury office of your status.

Reporting for jury service would cause a financial hardship for me, my family, or my business.  Can I be excused?

Because of the importance of assuring that individuals from throughout the community participate in the jury process, the Court generally does not excuse individuals based on financial hardship at the initial summons stage of the process.  Instead, hardships are discussed during jury selection for a trial.  If you believe your circumstances fall within the provisions contained in Missouri Revised Statute 494.430 you need to request an excuse on the Show-Me Jury eJuror website at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror.  Be specific and provide information such as business name and type, financial, medical, and/or other proof regarding your hardship.  If postponing your service to a later date would help you to be able to make arrangement you have the right to a one time postponement.  For further information on postponements please see below.

This is a bad time for me to perform jury duty.  Can I get a postponement?

Yes, if you have not previously been postponed.                                 

Upon timely request, individuals scheduled to appear for jury service have the right to postpone the date of their initial appearance for jury service one time.  The postponement date must be between 6 weeks and six months of the original summons date, except in the case of full-time students.  Full-time students of any accredited institution may be postponed up to twelve months from their original summons date.

Because each prospective juror is entitled to only one postponement, you will be required to serve on the date to which you are postponed.  To request a postponement, log onto Show-Me Jury eJuror at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror, complete the qualification form and questionnaire, select the “Postpone” button on the Jury Homepage, and enter a new report date.  You will receive a new summons approximately three weeks before your new report date. 

I am a nursing mother.  Can I be excused?

 Any nursing mother, upon her request, and with a completed written statement from her physician to the court certifying she is a nursing mother will be excused.

I am a stay-at-home parent with children that are not yet in school or the caregiver to a disabled person.  Can I be excused?

The Court generally does not excuse individuals based physical on financial hardship at the initial summons stage of the process.  Instead, hardships are discussed during jury selection for a trial.  If you believe your circumstances fall within the provisions contained in Missouri Revised Statute 494.430 you may request an excuse in writing on the Juror Qualification Form.  Be specific and provide information such as financial, medical, and/or other proof regarding your hardship.  If postponing your service to a later date would help you to be able to make arrangements you have the right to a one time postponement.  For further information on postponements please click here.

Is childcare provided?

NO, the Court does not provide childcare services.  Please DO NOT bring your child(ren) when reporting for jury service.  Arrangements for the care of your child(ren) should be made prior to reporting for jury service.
 

Is lunch provided?

Lunch is not provided, however, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are provided at no cost in the jury assembly rooms.  You may bring your own lunch if you wish, or you may purchase lunch from either the vending machines or from one of several restaurants located within easy driving distance of the courthouses.  If you choose to bring your lunch DO NOT bring metal cutlery as it will be confiscated by security personnel.

Reporting Location

1010 N Boonville
Springfield, MO 65802

Jury Message Line:
417-868-4819 or 417-868-4820

Jury Office: 417-868-4821

Jury Supervisor
Holly Ryan

Deputy Jury Supervisor
Ellen Wilson