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Jury Services
If your summons indicates that you are a CALL-IN JUROR, you MUST call 954-831-8471 after 5:00 PM the evening before your report date, as your service may not be required.
Overview
One of the Constitutional rights guaranteed to all American citizens is the fundamental right to a trial by jury. As an American citizen, it is your privilege and duty to serve as a juror when called upon to do so.
Prospective jurors are randomly selected from the Florida Driver Licenses Database of US citizens who are residents of Broward County and are 18 years of age or older. Jurors may serve only once in a calendar year.
Jurors will be qualified by the presiding judge and attorneys through the "voir dire" process. This process is used to select individuals who will sit and hear the evidence of a trial.
Reporting Instructions
As a prospective juror, you are required to report at 7:45 am.
If your summons indicates that you are a CALL-IN JUROR, you MUST call 954-831-8471 after 5:00 PM the evening before your report date, as your service may not be required.
View the Jury Parking section for detail and maps.
IMPORTANT — Please allow an additional 30 minutes for parking. If you own a high clearance vehicle such as a high-top van or recreational vehicle, you will not be able to park in the garage.
Upon entering the Judicial Complex, you will go through a security check, which includes passing through a metal detector and placing items being carried through a security screening machine. Items prohibited from the building include pocket knives, scissors and mace as well as any other types of dangerous or hazardous materials or property. Security will NOT hold or return prohibited items to you.
Before reporting to jury duty at the courthouse, we strongly encourage you to view Exhibit A of AO-2017-64-Gen (Amendment 1) - Administrative Order Governing Courthouse Security, for a more detailed list of Courthouse prohibited items.
You are allowed to bring cellphones and electronic devices; however, they cannot be used to research any civil or criminal cases while you are serving as a juror. Electronic devices will be removed from all members of a selected jury panel before deliberations begin; they may also be removed at any other stages during a trial as directed by the presiding judge.
Maintaining the dignity of the Court with proper attire is required. Business casual is suggested. Uniforms, shorts, tank tops and flip-flops are not proper Courtroom attire. You may want to bring a jacket or sweater, as courtrooms tend to be cool.
There are small cafés and vending machines inside the building, however, they may not offer selections specific to one’s dietary needs. Various restaurants and grocery store are within walking distance of the Broward County Courthouse. For those bringing lunch or snacks, there is a microwave available in the Juror Lounge.
Lunchtime for prospective jurors is normally from 12:00 – 1:15. Should you be assigned to a Judge, the Judge will dictate your lunch schedule. During your lunchtime, you are free to leave the building unless told otherwise by the judge or court.
Juror Excusals and Postponements
Excusals
A juror's request for excusal or postponement must be submitted to Jury Administration at least 7 days prior to your report date. We encourage you to use the online Jury Excusal / Postponement portal, or detach and mail the postcard from your juror summons.
IMPORTANT: The Clerk of Court staff does not have the authority to excuse a juror from jury duty for any reasons other than those listed below.
You may choose not to serve if:
- You are 70 years or older and wish to be excused permanently, or for this time only
- Served on a jury in Broward County in the past 12 months
- Expectant mother
- Parent not employed full-time, with custody of child under 6 years old
- A woman who has given birth within 6 months before the reporting date
- Physical and/or mental incapacity or permanently incapable of caring for himself/herself
- Full-time SWORN law enforcement officer
- Responsible for the care of a person who is medically or mentally incapacitated and is incapable of caring for himself/herself
- If you are actively serving in the military or armed forces
- Full-time student between 18 and 21 years of age
You may not serve if:
- Not a citizen of the United States
- Convicted felon - civil rights not restored
- No longer reside in Broward County
- Presently under prosecution for a crime
- Presently on probation or parole
Postponements
All jurors are entitled to a one time postponement, not to exceed six months from the original summons date.
NOTE: You will be notified by mail regarding the status of your request.
Jury Parking
Free reserved parking is provided for all those appearing for jury duty. The parking garage is adjacent to the Judicial Complex and is located on the East side of the Courthouse.
Jurors must enter from the WEST SIDE of the parking garage (alongside the drawbridge), located on SE 3rd Avenue. Remember to bring the parking ticket you receive upon entering the parking garage to the jury room for validation. Once you have parked your vehicle in the garage, proceed to the pedestrian walkway on the third (3rd) floor of the garage. This walkway will provide you with covered access to the third (3rd) floor of the Judicial Complex between the North and East Wings.
IMPORTANT — Please allow an additional 30 minutes for parking. If you own a high clearance vehicle such as a high-top van or recreational vehicle, you will not be able to park in the garage.
Directions to Judicial Complex East Parking Garage at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301
Juror / Employer Compensation
Juror Compensation Pay
A juror who is regularly employed and who continues to be paid regular wages while on Jury Duty is not entitled to be paid by the State for the first three (3) days of service.
A juror who is not regularly employed or does not continue to be paid regular wages while on Jury Duty is entitled to $15.00 per day, by the State, for the first three (3) days of service.
Each juror who serves more than three (3) days is entitled to be paid $30.00 per day by the State, as of the fourth (4th) day, and each day thereafter.
Florida Statutes now permits jurors to donate compensation paid by the State of Florida for Jury Service. The compensation may be donated to a certified guardian ad litem program or to a domestic violence shelter in Broward County. Shelters are designated annually on a rotating basis.
Employers Compensation Responsibilities
Sec. 1-9. - Compensation by employers to employees for jury service
(a) This section shall be applicable to and govern all employers located or doing business within Broward County who have employees summoned to jury service within Broward County.
(b) No employer shall withhold wages or salary from a full-time employee summoned to jury service because of the employee's absence from work on any day that the employee, reports for jury duty, or serves as a juror or on a venire panel for a period not to exceed five (5) working days, provided that the employee gives a copy of the summons to his or her immediate supervisor within five (5) working days prior to the commencement of his or her jury service and provided further that the employer can deny or withhold from the employee's usual wages or salary an amount equal to the statutory fees to which the employee is entitled for performing jury service or otherwise. This subsection includes a full-time employee whose regular work schedule does not fall within the daily time period for jury service. The full-time employee shall be excused from work by the employer during each day the employee provides jury service, regardless of the regularly scheduled time such employee reports to work, and shall be compensated by the employer as provided for in this subsection.
(c) Definitions: As used in this Section 1-9, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed:
- Full-time employee shall mean an individual employed by an employer and regularly scheduled to work at least thirty-five (35) hours per week.
- Jury service shall mean being summoned and reporting for jury service as well as actual service on a jury, or summoned to sit on a venire panel.
- Wages or Salary shall mean the employee's regular salary, draw, or compensation, but does not include commissions, overtime pay, or compensation for more than eight (8) working hours per day.
(d) Any person in violation of this section shall be punished as provided by law.
(Ord. No. 86-55, §§ 1—3, 10-14-86; Ord. No. 89-54, § 1, 12-12-89; Ord. No. 2002-63, § 1, 12-10-02)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, however, cellphones and electronic devices cannot be used to research any civil or criminal cases online in any way, including searching for information about the attorneys or judges while serving as a juror. Electronic devices will be removed from all members of a selected jury panel before deliberations begin; they may also be removed at any other stages during a trial as directed by the presiding judge.
As a prospective juror, you are required to be in the Jury Assembly Room in the Judicial Complex on the date and reporting time indicated on your summons.
All persons entering the Judicial Complex, even prospective jurors, are required to submit to a security screening. This will include passing through a metal detector and placing any items being carried through an X-ray machine.
Keep in mind that even certain everyday items (scissors, pocket knives, etc.) will not be permitted in the Judicial Complex. For a list of additional prohibited items, refer to Exhibit A of AO-2017-64-Gen (Amendment 1) - Administrative Order Governing Courthouse Security.
After going through the security check, proceed toward the corridor on your left. The Jury Assembly Room is located in Room 03320 of the East Wing. (It is the first entrance on the left, just down the corridor).
Failure to comply with a Jury Summons may result in a $100.00 fine and/or Contempt of Court.
Jury Service is generally for one day; however, you must serve until the end of the jury selection process. If you are selected for a trial, you must serve for the length of that trial.
The ability to understand English is determined by the judge at the time of service. You must report.
The Florida Statutes permit excusal if you are not working full-time and your child is under the age of six. If your child does not fall within this category, a postponement within six months of the original summons date is available to give you adequate time to make arrangements for child care.
Contact Information
- Central Courthouse
Judicial Complex, East Building
(Jury Services) - 201 S.E. 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Directions To This Location - 3rd Floor, Room: 03320
- 954-831-6091 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
- 954-831-7054 - (Fax)
- 954-831-7051 - (Hurricane hotline or State of emergency)
- Monday - Friday
7:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Excluding Holidays
Brenda D. Forman
Connect with Us
TranslateMain Courthouse Location
201 SE 6th Street
Fort LauderdaleFlorida, US 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
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