NEW FREE PARKING STRUCTURE NEXT TO THE COURTHOUSE! enter the same way you would for the free outdoor lot next to the courthouse, but drive toward the back. if you have an 8 or 9am report time, i think you have a good shot at getting a parking space without getting here super early now. if you have an afternoon summons, you might still need to get street parking. last time i reported here (3 years ago?), i arrived at 7:30am for an 8am report and i still had to park at a metered spot a couple blocks away. this time i got here at 7:30am and i snagged one of the last spots in the original lot. the following day, i was required to be here at 9am and i showed up at 8:40am and there were still 50 spots (according to the board) in the new parking structure. parking was a huge gripe i had with this courthouse. at least now that's one less complaint when i report... read more

I had to Jury duty again. It seems like get this every year!.....ugg Not only that, PARKING is hard to find, so get there really early. or park far away. read more

FREE JUROR PARKING about a fifteen minute walk from the courthouse! Take Ferry Street and Ferry Street only (as it's the one street that crosses the railroad tracks) past Marina Vista. Then pass the Amtrak Station to your left, cross the railroad tracks, and keep to the road that curves to the right. This is Joe DiMaggio Drive. Straight ahead is a large sign that says "Waterfront Park, City of Martinez." The road forks here and curves to the left, but stay right and continue straight on Joe DiMaggio Drive. The second entrance on the left hand parking lots is specifically marked for Jurors. Depending on how fast you walk, it's about ten to fifteen minutes to the Courthouse. (You'll need to cross the tracks and take Ferry Street back out!) Well, that is, unless you get waylaid en route by some incredibly yummy place like Barrelista Coffee House or Reviver Foods. read more

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I'm back for another jury duty a few years later and I'm glad to see they have now built a new parking structure behind the courthouse for additional parking. Previously, needed to get it there by 7:30 if I wanted to park in that parking lot but now it has been extended to 830. It does fill up by about 830 however. read more

Having just completed a day of jury duty, I thought I would offer some guidance for future prospective jurors. When you first arrive, you have to sign in and receive a juror questionnaire, which will go to the judge and attorneys, if you're called to a courtroom. The clerk will eventually read a list of 50 to 75 prospective jurors to go to the first courtroom that needs a jury. If you're not called out, then you wait until the next courtroom needs a jury. The process will repeat until all courtrooms needing a jury that day have received their prospective jurors. Then, remaining people will be excused, their jury service having been fulfilled. How to prepare You can park in the big lot behind the courthouse or on certain streets without feeding the meter if you put your parking pass on the dash. You can bring reading materials, food and beverages and electronic devices to the jury waiting room. There is public WiFi; use the "Public" network, which requires a simple log on. There are AC outlets so you can bring a charger. You are allowed to leave the building for 10 minutes if you want to go to McDonald's or take a walk, but you'll have to re-enter through a metal detector an x-ray machine. If you're still waiting to get sent to a courtroom, you'll be excused for lunch on your own until 1:00. There are snack and drink vending machines in the jury waiting room, and a water dispenser. There are old magazines and paperbacks that others have left. As a former trial attorney, I have to say that the CCC Superior Court jury office is very well run and organized. Jury service is an imposition, but a socially-important one, and they do a good job to make it as convenient as possible. read more

Had a great first-day jury selection experience. I showed up on time while others trickled in for almost an hour after me, but it's nice they weren't penalized since parking is kind of a nightmare: one free lot that's almost full by 8 in the morning. After that, youre on your own for metered parking on the street. Beware of 2-hr meters and look for 10-hr, or park for free several blocks away at the marina. It seems to make this civic duty as pleasant as possible they'd offer some sort of tag for cars who are parked on the street during jury duty so that the (potential) jurors don't have to pay for their spot all day. We were warned that the fines are written soon after your meter expires, and can be up to $30 for each ticket. Not fun. Thankfully my early arrival got me a spot in the free lot. I went through a fast security line and x-ray machine with friendly officers keeping everything running smoothly. Then I found a seat in the juror waiting room which had lots of chairs, some tables with puzzles and other games, outlets for charging phones/computers, TVs that showed interesting shows, and even a little break room in the back with vending machines and a coffee machine. Fridge and microwave are also available for use for free if you want to bring your lunch from home. There was a really long lunch period before my group was even called to go upstairs, but once we made it to the next step in the process, everyone from the bailiff to the judge was very nice and the entire process was a lot more pleasant than I anticipated. I get to return tomorrow for sure, and maybe even for a few weeks after that. I feel honored to finally get to participate as a potential juror and am thankful to live in a country where we have the right to trial by a jury of our peers read more

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The main thing to know is that parking sucks, so plan to arrive early. There is a free lot. I got there at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 appointment and saw someone take the last spot. Found free parking about 4 blocks down on Pine St. Also, it was totally freezing in there. Like WAY over air conditioned. Bring a warm jacket and snacks. read more

I reported for jury duty several years ago. I ended up on the jury and spent a month here but it felt more like a grand jury inquiry. If I didn't eat at the restaurants, the only place to eat was the library yard. There was an attorney on the jury and when it was time to deliberate we were stashed in what seemed more like a storage room than a deliberation room. read more

How can reporting to a day of jury duty be 4 full stars u say? Well honestly, I learned a lot, and had some fun. The directions to this place were in my mind, a little iffy. Coming from the Walnut Creek direction, I've been to the Martinez hospital and was more familiar with getting off the Alhambra exit. You simply go past the hospital and make a right eventually on ward st. That's it. They say it starts at 8-5, but the doors don't open til 8 so as much as you can't be late, a lot of people were standing in line in the cold. Then we were all like a herd of sheep migrating into this huge assembly room with an impressive very clear and friendly staff and old & new magazines all over the place. I guess they've done this long enough and endured many angry people, that they are tremendously helpful and smiley. Anyway, I was grouped with a hugely diverse group for the day and funny things happened since we were all clueless of the process. The judge seemed extremely nice too, but fair of course ;). I can't belive they spend the whole day just to find the right jurors. Around the area was a cute streets of little boutiques and antique stores. With an hour and a half break for lunch, I made it a day to walk around and randomly got me some goodies that aren't in everyday stores. read more

This was my first experience with Jury Duty. Id been summoned once before but when I called in the morning of my number was not needed and I was dismissed without ever having to come down. This time, I wasn't so lucky. I have a few tips for your arriving to jury duty. I lived with in walking distance of downtown Martinez for 7 1/2 years. So I really know what I'm talking about. Parking: Get out there early. Early enough to park, for FREE. on or on the sides streets of Pacheco Blvd. I parked near Cappy Ricks park and took a little walk into downtown. You get a slight work out but its really only a few extra minutes. Its so worth it. At the actual court house the bailiffs were really nice. I'm one of those people who always feels scrutinized. Even though I'm not going to do or am doing anything wrong I feel like im going to be called out. I had a cup of coffee with me when I walked in and assumed they would make me get rid of it. No they let me carry it right through. The guys were so nice. Even when my baggage went through and they saw my breast pump in the monitor. One guy stopped it and asked if I had batteries in my bag. I said yes, fully prepared to have to have some strange man, man handle my breast pump. Nope, he said ok and it went through. I then had to stand in a long, long line to check in. The room is large and the line went completely around it and out the door. I scoped out my future spot for sitting. When I got to the front of the line I needed to ask first, if I could take breaks at certain times to pump breast milk and if there was a place, other than a bathroom, that I could go do it. To my amazement she said yes to everything. Then she asked if I wanted a postponement until next year. Did i hear correctly? Postpone until nest year? Yes. Yes Ill sign up for that. I had no idea that you can do that. As fellow Yelper Rachel H. told me later that day, shes gotten out of it for three years based on breastfeeding. Be pregnant or have a baby every other year and youll be postponed for a long time. Well, I wont be breastfeeding next year so Ill be back again. An update to follow, if i go through the whole process that is. read more

They got me in and out pretty quick.... The annoyance here is PARKING! You show up at 8:30 to report. Theres only paid street parking. The free lot fills up form employees Im guessing before 8am? The city realllly should build a garage wher etheir lot is... JUST SAYING. And i saw the parking meter maid out chalking tires! BS. People who are actually showing up to serve and you punish them?? If you can, get a ride. Even at 8:40 (ten min late) there was a line to get through security. Snorrrr..... The woman who calls role/ checks you in for jury duty is INCREDIBLY annoying. Annoying voice and wayyy too cheerful for the morning. The jury room gets super stuffy! Beware. Also lack of outlets if you need to charge a phone or laptop. Beware... They wait an HOUR to get everyone checked in and paperwork done. So if you are running late cause you cant find parking, dont sweat it:) I was in the first jury group called so I was in a courtroom by 10am. That made me happy. Other than that, Im glad I was dismissed! read more

Wait is long and also they should preselect the jury ahead of time and also mail in test to see if they qualify. And let the final selected jury know at least 2-3 weeks ahead of time so ppl can prearrange their schedule especially for work kids- bbysitters, and if they have to take care of internally ill parents or kids. That would be respectful to both parties. Calling the night before is just too short of notice to alot of ppl... ALSO there should be snacks and sandwiches that is provided free of charge to those who are the jurors. Not going anywhere for hours you will have very grumpy ppl! Just an FYI if anyone cares! read more

If you get a jury summons : You all get corralled into a big room with plastic chairs , fill out a question form and then sit and wait . If they require jurors for a trial or anytime they need to pass information they make an announcement on a loudspeaker for everybody to assemble in the juror room . Then a lady goes to the podium and reads a list of random names in alphabetical order and those individuals get up and a baliff escorts them to a trial room for additional questioning. The rest of the people just sit around and wait until they require additional jurors , are excused or 5pm, whichever comes first. Wifi is available in the room and works for browsing although I was unable to stream video . You can wander around a bit , even go outside but you have to be able to hear the loudspeaker. Free parking is available next to the courthouse but is full at 0715. Plenty of street parking but you should park in an area where long-term parking meters are available for reduced rates. Meters in the immediate vicinity of the courthouse have shorter time limits , you'll have to sign out and then skedaddle to your car to feed the meter , go thru security again , then sign back in . A couple of people came dressed in shorts and a t -shirt . Some men tried to strike up conversation with attractive women but were rebuffed. An orientation briefing is given shortly after you assemble. Mcdonalds right around the corner for a quick bite , lunch time is 90 minutes to 2 hours and plenty of time to walk and enjoy the town. Much of the day is just sitting around , recommend bringing a book or laptop/tablet . Cell phone use is allowed in the juror room but must be turned off if you get selected and go to a trial room . In the trial room lawyers on each side will question you and determine if you are a suitable juror , if not you will be excused for the day and your service is over . You can also bring up any concern such as an upcoming vacation or any bonafide reason it would be a burden and you will probably be excused. They know that people don't really want to be there and try to make it as pleasant as possible. read more

I had jury duty last week. I've had it once before, in WC and it was one big fat miserable day sitting in a crowded, stuffy room. The Martinez / Bray Courthouse experience was way better. You are not bound to the room! They also have a television, games, puzzles, books, magazines. There is a patio!! Ok, it's a small patio and not very aesthetically pleasing, but you get fresh air! They also let you leave the building entirely for like 15-20 minutes whenever you want!!! We got a 2-hour lunch! This gave me plenty of time to call Jack and have him take me to George's Hamburger in WC for my favorite caloric splurge. The court staffers were all very nice and completely understood most of us would rather be elsewhere. I just grabbed my book and my Jpod and sat on the patio for hours. No boss calling! No kids biting my ankles!! It was lovely. read more

Build a parking lot and a cafeteria. Pay jurors the IRS rate for mileage; round trip please. That'll be great. Thanks.