How to read a federal jury packet
Use the paper in your hand. This page is a legend, not a substitute, and not a review of your facts.
1. The court name
A federal packet says United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Middle, or District of [State or Territory]. A state packet says Superior Court, Circuit Court, County Court, or a county jury office. This portal only covers the federal one.
2. Questionnaire or summons?
A qualification questionnaire or postcard asks you to answer questions. It is usually not an order to appear next week. A summons orders you to report or to check a reporting date. Some districts mail both ideas in one packet. Trust the words on that paper and the court’s eJuror status, not a guess from a private site.
3. The participant or juror number
That number is how eJuror knows you. Type it on the court’s .gov site. Do not send it to Harborline. We will not ask for it.
4. The deadline
Section 1864 speaks of ten days to return a qualification form. Your packet may print a different date. Questionnaires have a return date. Reporting dates can change on the court’s own recording or website. Trust the court, not a caller.
5. Excuse and postponement
Those words belong to the district. Use the box or eJuror path that court printed. Harborline does not pick a ground for you. Excuses are discretionary.
6. The callback number
The only safe phone number is the one printed on the packet or on that district’s jury page. A person who calls you first and asks for money, a Social Security number, or remote-access software is not the clerk. Scam page.
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