Jury Duty

North Carolina law provides for the compensation of residents who are called for jury service at the rate of $12 for day one of service. You will be paid $20 for each day of service, day 2-5. If you are seated on a trial and serve for more than 5 days, you will be paid $30 for every day after those first 5 days. The Clerk of Superior Court will mail you a check for the appropriate amount.

North Carolina law prohibits employers from firing or demoting an employee because they serve as a juror. However, the law does not require that the employee be paid in full while serving.

When your name is randomly drawn to take a numbered seat in the jury box at the start of a trial, the attorneys will ask you questions about yourself. If your answers to questions lead the attorneys or the judge to feel that you could not be objective in considering the evidence in this trial, you will be dismissed with the Court's thanks.

Jurors should report to the 2nd floor of the Buncombe County Judicial Complex, as instructed on your summons. If you have instructions to call ahead attached to your summons, please follow the instructions on the automated system.

Parking Information: Free parking is available at the County parking deck on College Street, directly across from the Buncombe County Courthouse and beside the Carolina First Bank.

Bring a book, needlework, crossword puzzles, or other materials to occupy your time. While efforts will be made by the Court to reduce delays in trial starts and to avoid long waiting periods for you, some waiting time should be anticipated while jurors are chosen to sit on a jury.

You should dress comfortably, but not too casually. Dress for Court as if you were going to work or to church. Many judges do not allow anyone to come to court wearing halter or tank tops, cut-off jeans, shorts, or shirts with offensive wording. Remember you will be acting as part of the Court while serving as jurors, so dress appropriately. Also, you might want to wear layered clothing since courtroom temperatures may vary considerably, requiring the removal or addition of a sweater or jacket.

When you report to the Courthouse, you will be shown an orientation video that explains what to expect as a juror. You will also be given additional information from the court staff. Then all jurors present will take an oath as jurors and be given a red juror badge to wear until they are released from jury duty by the judge. Once a trial begins, the judge will instruct you on your duties as a juror.

If you are seated for a trial, you must serve until the trial ends, which may be two days to several weeks. Most jurors, however, only serve for one or two days.

In an emergency, you may be contacted through the Clerk of Superior Court's office, at 828-259-6407. The court staff will make certain that you get the message.

It is extremely rare for a jury to be "sequestered" or kept in a hotel during a trial. You should expect that you will be allowed to go home at the end of each court day.