Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I required to appear for jury service?

Maine law exempts the Governor and members of the armed forces on active duty from jury service. In addition, certain municipal and state election officials are exempt from jury service during elections.

A person 80 years or older who does not wish to serve on a jury may be excused. In addition, a person is not required to serve as a juror more than once in any 5-year period, and three times in total. The court has the authority to excuse or defer an otherwise qualified person from jury service if the person demonstrates:

• Undue hardship;
• Extreme inconvenience;
• Public necessity; or
• An inability to render satisfactory jury service because of a physical or mental disability.

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2. How was I chosen?

The clerk of every Superior Court keeps a list of potential jurors (Juror Source List) for every county in Maine. The Juror Source List is compiled from a list of all licensed drivers and individuals who have been issued a State of Maine identification card, supplied by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

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3. Can I volunteer for jury service?

No, juries must represent a fair cross section of society and the courts cannot accept volunteers for a jury. If you have a State of Maine license or ID you are already included in the source list for possible selection.

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1. I have lost my questionnaire. What should I do?

Contact the jury clerk as soon as possible for instructions.

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2. There are two people in my household with the same name, how do I know which one the questionnaire is for?

The date of birth (DOB) is printed on the summons. If you have questions, please contact the jury clerk.

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1. I have lost my jury summons. What should I do?

Contact the jury clerk as soon as possible for instructions on when and where to appear for jury service.

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2. A summons was sent to a family member who is deceased, what should I do?

The court will need some form of written documentation of the death. Contact the court clerk for more instructions.

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3. Can I postpone my jury service to a later date?

If approved by the court, you can postpone your jury service to a later date. You must contact the court clerk to ask to postpone or defer your jury service.

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4. Can I ask to be excused from jury service?

If you are a member of the armed forces on active duty, you are excused, but you or someone on your behalf must contact the jury clerk.

If you are 80 years of age or older, you may be excused if you wish. Please contact the jury clerk.

By law, all other qualified jurors will only be excused if they can show undue hardship or extreme inconvenience, public necessity or inability to render satisfactory jury service because of physical or mental disability.

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5. What if I have recently served? Can I be excused?

Yes. By law, you are not required to serve or attend court for prospective service more than once in a 5-year period for each type of jury—trial jury or grand jury. If you wish to serve, you are welcome to and we thank you for your service.

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6. I have plans to travel for work or vacation on my jury service date. What should I do?

Contact the jury clerk. The court is aware that, even though jury service is a civic duty, it can also interfere with your obligations and plans. The court may ask for some form of written documentation of your travel plans. The jury clerk may also instruct you to appear for limited service, or you may ask to postpone or defer your jury service.

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7. I have a medical appointment on my jury service date. What should I do?

Contact the jury clerk. The court is aware that, even though jury service is a civic duty, it can also interfere with your obligations and plans. The court may need some form of written documentation of your medical appointment. The jury clerk may also instruct you to appear for limited service, or you may ask to postpone or defer your jury service.

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8. A summons was sent to my child who is away at school. What should I do?

Contact the jury clerk to discuss postponing or defer their jury service to a time when they home from school, if possible.

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1. I have a disability and have been summoned for jury service. How do I make a request for an accommodation?

The Judicial Branch complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and by Maine law does not discriminate against jurors on the basis of disability. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please email accessibility@courts.maine.gov or call 207-822-0718. If you have a hearing disability, dial 711.

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2. I have a hard time hearing, can I be excused from jury service?

The courts provide assistive listening devices for anyone who is hard of hearing. Please ask any clerk or marshal for an assistive listening device when you arrive at court for jury service.

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3. I am a breastfeeding woman and have been summoned for jury service. Can I make a request for an accommodation or to postpone my jury service?

You can ask to postpone your jury service. If you choose to serve and would like to request an accommodation, such as a private room to express milk, please contact the jury clerk in advance to help ensure that your needs are met on the day of your service.

Please also be advised that childcare is not available at the courthouse and children are not permitted to attend jury service with their parents.

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1. Must employers allow their employees to attend jury service?

Yes. Maine law prohibits employers from firing an employee, taking away their health insurance coverage, or even threatening an employee with loss of their job or health insurance coverage, because the employee receives a summons for jury service, responds to a summons for jury service, serves as a juror or attends court for prospective jury service.

An employer who violates this law is guilty of a Class E misdemeanor crime.

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2. I am self-employed. Can I ask to be excused from jury service?

The court will not excuse you from jury service because you are self-employed.

By law, qualified jurors will only be excused if they can show undue hardship or extreme inconvenience, public necessity or inability to render satisfactory jury service because of physical or mental disability. You can contact the jury clerk if you believe completing your jury service will be an undue hardship or extreme inconvenience. Or you can ask to postpone your jury service to a better time or season, given the nature of your work.

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