Jury Duty

Welcome to the Cass County Jury Duty Information Page

Jury duty in Cass County is a vital part of our justice system. Jurors are randomly selected from a pool of eligible citizens and may be called to serve on civil or criminal cases. Your role as a juror is to listen to the evidence presented, follow the judge’s instructions, and work with fellow jurors to reach a fair and impartial verdict.

Reporting Instructions

You will receive a jury summons with specific instructions on when and where to report. Please follow the instructions carefully. You may be asked to:

Call the recorded message line at 269-399-6899 the night before your scheduled date
Check your reporting status online
Arrive at the Cass County Courthouse at the designated time

Reporting Location

Cass County Law & Courts Building
60296 M-62
Cassopolis, MI 49031

Juror Qualifications

To serve as a juror in Cass County, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years old
Reside in Cass County
Be able to understand and communicate in English
Not have served on a jury in the past 12 months
Not have any disqualifying felony convictions

If you do not meet these qualifications, please indicate that when answering your juror questionnaire online (opens in a new tab) or contact the Jury Clerk immediately at jurymanager@cassco.org.

Current Trials

Jury Trial	Start Date

What to Expect When you Appear for Service

Check-In: Upon arrival, you’ll check in with the Jury Clerk and receive further instructions.
Orientation: A brief overview of the day will be provided by the Judge. The Judge will explain your responsibilities.
Courtroom Selection: You may be selected to serve on a jury panel and participate in the voir dire (jury selection) process.
Length of Service: Most trials last 1–3 days, but some may take longer. You will be informed during the orientation of the expected duration.

Juror Compensation

Jurors are compensated for their time and mileage. Mileage is paid at the IRS rate. The compensation is $15 for the 1^st half day, $22.50 for subsequent half days, $30 for the first full day and $45 for subsequent full days. Checks are typically mailed at the end of the month you are assigned.

Disqualifications, Excusals and Deferral

If you are unable to serve on your scheduled date due to hardship, illness, or other valid reasons, you may request a deferral, excusal or disqualification online when filling out your juror questionnaire online.

FAQs

What do I do if I have a medical problem and I don't feel that I would be able to serve?

To be excused from jury duty for a medical reason, a letter must be submitted from your physician stating that you are unable to serve. This letter should be returned with your questionnaire no later than three weeks before your assigned week of service. These letters are forwarded to the presiding judge for consideration and you will receive verification if you are excused.

If you are permanently disabled, please be certain that your physician includes that information when writing your letter. If your physician does not specify a permanent condition your name may be drawn again the following year.

If you do not return your physician's note with your original questionnaire due to time considerations you are welcome to submit it via email to jurymanager@cassco.org or call (269) 445-4463.

What can I do if I don't hear well and I am afraid I will miss significant testimony?

Individuals with hearing problems should participate in the jury selection so that they can hear the acoustics in the courtroom. If they cannot hear properly at that time they should advise the judge or bailiff and they will be excused.

What about work?

By law, and employer cannot fire, discipline or threaten such action against an employee who is summoned for jury duty or chosen to serve on a jury, even for a long trial. Nor can employers force a worker to go beyond normal hours to make up for time spent on jury service. An employer who takes these actions could be guilty of a misdemeanor or held in contempt of court.

600.1348 Jurors; threats, discharge, or discipline by employer; requiring additional hours of work; misdemeanor; penalty.
Sec. 1348.
(1) An employer or the employer's agent, who threatens to discharge or discipline or who discharges, disciplines, or causes to be discharged from employment or to be disciplined a person because that person is summoned for jury duty, serves on a jury, or has served on a jury, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and may also be punished for contempt of court.

I am a college student. Do I still have to serve and miss class?

College students are required to serve at the conclusion of the semester or academic year. Respond to the questionnaire with a week that the student will be available. If a student has relocated and established a residence away at school (for example, renting an apartment year-round in East Lansing or Ann Arbor), that student may be excused as a non-resident with proof of their relocation (signed lease agreement, utility bill, etc.) or a copy of their state-issued ID including their updated address.

I am a nursing mother. Do I have to serve?

If the child is not taking any supplemental feedings, a letter must be submitted by the pediatrician for you to be excused. If you do not return your physician's note with your original questionnaire due to time considerations you are welcome to submit it via email to jurymanager@cassco.org or call (269) 445-4463.

I have small children and don't have a sitter. Do you provide daycare?

Daycare services are not available at the courthouse. Jurors are notified several weeks in advance of their week of jury service and this should give you ample time to locate a sitter or a daycare center who you are comfortable with.

What does it pay?

Under Michigan law, jurors are paid as follows:

Length of Duty	Pay
First half of day	$15.00
First full day	$30.00
Subsequent half days	$22.50
Subsequent full days	$45.00

Jurors also receive mileage for their trips to and from court. Prospective jurors who are not selected to sit on a trial are still paid for their participation.

What if I don't show up?

You can be held in contempt of court, fined or even jailed.

Are there exemptions?

People over 70 may be exempted from service if they choose to do so.

You may be called for jury duty more than once, but you may only serve as a seated juror once per year. If you have served as a juror in a court outside of Cass County and wish to claim this exemption we will require documentation to excuse you.

I served less than one year ago. Do I have to serve again?

Jurors who have served in the last 12 months are not required to serve. While we have procedures in place ensuring that jurors are not called twice in a 12-month period, people occasionally slip through because of name or identification number changes. If you served outside of Cass County (in a state, federal, or other county's court) we require documentation to excuse you.

Why am I called every year when I know people who have never been called?

Juror information is provided to us by the Secretary of State Office in Lansing. These names are taken from the driver's license and state ID card listing which the Secretary of State's Office maintains. Names are then randomly selected by computer system.

I live in another state during the winter months and I won't be in Michigan during my two-week term. What should I do?

Please advise us of which months you will be available to serve.

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