Court Location
Orientation
Badges
Juror Conduct
Court Behavior
Dress Code
Emergency Absences
Hours of Service
Parking
Pay
Proof of Appearance
Special Accommodations
Telephone
Not in Session

Legal Requirements
(for responses from affected agencies)

If you have been selected to serve as a Grand Juror, please read the following information about Grand Jury service and procedures.

COURT LOCATION

During your service you may be required to go to locations county wide. The main grand jury chambers are located at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

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ORIENTATION

Personnel selected for grand jury duty, including alternates, will be offered an orientation program on county and city government, and other county entities. This program will take place in June prior to impanelment. Personnel selected are encouraged to attend. It must be understood, however, that there is no provision under the law for compensation during this orientation.

BADGES

Please wear your grand juror badge at all times while you are at the courthouse. It is important that people recognize you as a juror.

CONDUCT OF JURORS DURING SERVICE:

Please be prompt. Tardiness causes delay and inconvenience to the lawyers, the parties, the witnesses and the other jurors.

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IS THERE ANY SPECIAL WAY I MUST ACT IN COURT?

You should conduct yourself as you would at any serious and important event. You should be courteous at all times. It is important that you remain alert when in session. You may bring a book or magazine to read while you are waiting to begin or during recess, but do not read while in session.

DRESS CODE

What should I wear to court? Dress as you would to attend a business meeting. Ties are not required. Be comfortable but avoid extremes in dress. Check with the foreperson or jury manager if you have any doubts.

EMERGENCY ABSENCES:

If you wish to notify the Grand Jury of an emergency, or an absence, please call (805) 568-2291 or notify the jury services office at the Courthouse (805) 882-4530 after 8:00 a.m.

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HOURS OF SERVICE:

The courts and county office are in operation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

LUNCH BREAK AND END OF DAY:

An announcement will be made informing you of your lunch break as well as your departure time at the end of the day. These times will usually be determined by the foreperson. During your lunch break you are permitted to leave the building and do whatever you like.

PARKING:

Assigned parking is available in spaces reserved for Grand Jury parking.

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PAY:

Grand jurors are remunerated by per diem based on actual number of days required in service. The current per diem rate is $25. They are also reimbursed for personal vehicle usage at the prevailing rate per mile (Please see fee schedule for details). Checks for grand jury service are computed once a month at the completion of service, and are mailed to you at your home address.

PROOF OF APPEARANCE OF JURY SERVICE

If you are employed, a form certifying the number of days you performed grand jury service, if required, will be furnished. Once you are sworn as a grand juror, either the foreperson or secretary will sign your confirmation of appearance on a daily basis. Not all employers require this information.

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SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:

If you require special accommodations or have a situation that is not addressed please call our office at (805) 882-4530 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

TELEPHONE:

Grand Jury Chambers (24 hour recorded message) (805) 568-2291

WHEN THE JURY IS NOT IN SESSION

If you are not required to report for a day or several days, you will not receive jury fees, credit for service, or written verification of service for those days.

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