Jury Service
Jury service is a privilege and a duty. It is a privilege because only qualified persons can serve. It is also a duty and you are compelled to appear until excused or discharged.
The qualifications are set forth in Article 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
In order to qualify to serve as a juror, a person must:
Be a citizen of the United States and of this state who has resided within the parish in which he/she is to serve as a juror for at least one year immediately preceding his/her jury service.
Be at least eighteen years of age.
Be able to read, write and speak the English language and be possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language.
Not be under interdiction or incapable of serving as a juror because of mental or physical infirmity, provided that no person shall be deemed incompetent solely because of loss of hearing in any degree.
Not be under indictment, incarcerated under an order of imprisonment, or on probation or parole for a felony offense within the five-year period immediately preceding the person’s jury service.
The following exemptions to jury service are allowed by law: Rule 25 of the Louisiana Supreme Court pursuant to Section 33(B) of Article 5 of the Constitution provides:
Persons who have served as grand or petit jurors in criminal cases or as trial jurors in civil cases during a period of two years immediately preceding their selection for jury service.
Persons who are seventy years of age or older shall be exempt from jury service and may decline to serve as jurors, but may elect to serve as jurors if they meet the other qualifications for service as jurors.
You will note that this exemption is personal to you and must be claimed by you if you are to be excused.
If you have received a summons for jury duty, you must appear on the date and time that appears on the summons and thereafter that week pursuant to instructions of the judge. The jury room in Bossier Parish is located in the Police Jury Meeting Room on the first floor of the Bossier Parish Courthouse in Benton. In Webster Parish, jurors should report to Courtroom A on the second floor of the Webster Parish Courthouse in Minden.
Failure to report for jury duty may result in the issuance of a contempt charge for which you may be punished by fine or imprisonment.
You are expected to wear comfortable, respectful attire befitting court attendance. No shorts, tank tops, or hats may be worn in the courtrooms. You may want to bring a sweater or jacket.
All electronic devices must be turned off in the courtrooms. You are subject to search upon entering the courthouse, so weapons and items perceived to be weapons will be confiscated. No food or drinks are allowed in the courtrooms.