Seems like everyone is getting called for jury duty. Here’s how it works in SLO County

Have you received a notice for jury duty in the last year? Chances are good the answer is yes, and you’re not alone.

If you received one recently, you also maybe have a better chance of getting called in and serving on a trial than during other times of the year.

That’s because there are currently more trials than average occurring at the courthouse as part of the annual holiday “bump,” San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth told The Tribune.

After this current flurry, trial scheduling tends to slow down later in December, rise again in the new year and spring, and then slow down again during summer, he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dobroth said, there was a period of no trials and then a slowing of cases that went to trial.

Cases that were backlogged are now being tried.

“Our office has been pushing to clear out many of the backlogged cases, starting with the most significant,” Dobroth said.

Dobroth said that means working to get more trials on the schedule, which can be a challenge because there is a shortage of court reporters in the county.

Court reporters transcribe court hearings verbatim and are required for felony trials and preliminary hearings.

“This has been a very significant issue for our county,” he said.

Regardless of the court schedule, 1,690 people are called for jury duty each week in San Luis Obispo County, said Nikki Rodriguez, head of jury services at San Luis Obispo Superior Court.

The notices are sent out a month in advance to ensure a large enough pool of prospective jurors is available whether no trials or several are beginning in a given week.

Here’s what to expect when you’re called for jury duty.

What to do when you receive a jury summons

Anyone who receives a jury summons and is eligible to serve must start the process by calling 805-706-3610 after 5:30 p.m. the day before their service or visiting secure.slocourts.net/login, unless you’ve requested a postponement, excusal or other relief. If you ask to postpone, you will be directed to select another week you can serve.

If you are scheduled for jury service on a Monday, you can call or check the website anytime between 5:30 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Monday.

The prerecorded message will list prospective juror group numbers to confirm or change your time of appearance or put you on telephone standby.

If you are put on telephone standby, you will be asked to call again at a specific time for another message. You will need to call the recorded message daily for a maximum of five (5) working days.

If your group number is asked to appear at the San Luis Obispo Superior Courthouse, you will first report to Jury Services, located on the second floor and accessible from either the Monterey Street or Palm Street entrance.

Free juror parking is only available at the parking structure at 842 Palm St. across from the Palm Theatre. Jury Services will provide a coupon code with instructions when you appear.

Anyone who enters the courthouse must go through a security checkpoint. Patrons will be asked to empty their pockets and remove belts and place all belongings in a bin to be screened with an X-ray device.

Anything that is a weapon or can be used as a weapon is prohibited.

Once you check into Jury Services, you may be assigned to a courtroom, where the judge and attorneys will ask questions of prospective jurors. You’re jury service will end at the end of that day unless you are asked to continue being a part of jury selection or selected as a sworn or alternate juror in a trial.

According to California Courts, jurors selected for a trial will be paid $15 per day and at least 34 cents for each mile they travel to and from court starting the second day of their service. Selected jurors may also receive up to $12 per day if using public transit.

California law does not require people summoned for jury duty to report to the courthouse more than one per year unless they are selected for a trial.

So if you report to the courthouse, you won’t be receiving another summons for at least 12 months. Those who receive summons but are not asked to report to the courthouse could receive a second summons in a 12-month span.

People may be excused from jury duty if they have no means of transportation, would have to travel an excessive distance to the courthouse, have a physical or mental impairment, provide care for a dependent and cannot afford to have someone cover for you, or if serving would be an extreme financial burden. The judge can also dismiss a prospective juror for other reasons, such as if they are a student or have a pre-paid vacation coming up during the trial window.