First time at this courthouse for jury duty and federal court... I must say, this is courthouse is much newer and cleaner than the others I have been to.
Upon entry, if one doesn't have an KN-95 mask or equivalent, security will give you one. Follow instructions before you show up on the day of jury duty.
During peak of Covid, they allowed folks to take in cell phones and laptops (through Jan/Feb '22), however when spring came, they didn't communicate that all electronic devices had to be checked in. You get them back when you leave for lunch but still have to check them back in and retrieve at the end of the day. Everyone was not happy at the lack of communication - even apple watches were confiscated.. So unless you brought a book or magazine or called into the courtroom, you were watching the clock on the wall and/or paint drying. Staff was friendly and helpful, security staff helped to explain the new rules more than the staff (at least for me).
Small main waiting room fits about 140 people or so...
Some changes since the last time, which saved time:
1- No lottery wheel to watch them pick names. They scanned in juror cards, randomized names and already had juror cards and draft assign by juror # in the courtroom.
2 - In the jury room, the judge questioned almost everyone vs just those sitting up at the panel
3 - Every who serve jury duty in federal court gets paid, though it will take 4-8 weeks to get a check in the mail after service ends.
4 - Attendance letter for jury duty services is available on the website vs being handed out at the end of the service
Areas of improvement:
1 - Overall Communication: a) electronic devices would have to be checked in b) Communicate proper Covid mask protocols for 1.5 hours - should have been the 1st announcement on 1st day there; staff communicated on the 2nd day
2 - Forgetting to turn off the microphone in the courtroom when sidebar or going to other room - oy vey! Happened at least 3 times for one case..
3- Judge didn't stop a potential jury from telling their entire address to the court room (just city or area will do) read more