Frequently Asked Questions
Electronic equipment including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, pagers, laptop computers and recording devices may not be used in the courtroom or jury room without the specific permission of the Judge. Unless specific permission is given by the Judge, all electronic equipment in the possession of a juror shall be turned off.
Most trials last only one day. When a trial does last longer, the judge usually adjourns so that you can return home each day at a reasonable hour. Rarely are you required to stay overnight.
The rate of pay for jury duty is $11.00 for a half day (those excused before noon), and $22.00 for a full day (staying past noon). You will receive payment approximately two weeks after your term of jury service is complete. Mileage is paid at the rate of $.51 per mile. Make certain that the Clerk of Courts Office has your correct name, address and round-trip mileage to the courthouse. Verification of your jury service for your employer will be provided upon request.
Your length of service for jury duty will be 5 days of service. In the rare circumstance that a trial is not complete in 5 days, you will be required to continue your service till the end of the trial. If you come to the courthouse for a trial and the trial is either canceled or you are not selected as a juror, your trip to the courthouse will count as one day of jury service.
Jurors are usually excused for lunch. You may leave the Courthouse or bring a lunch to have in the jury room. A refrigerator and microwave are available for your use. Lunch may be provided during multiple day trials.
Jury service is a civic duty. State law protects your job. Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, threaten or intimidate you because of jury service. Upon request, the bailiff or jury clerk can complete a statement of your jury attendance for your employer.
If you have a disability which will require an accommodation by the court to allow you to serve as a juror, please contact our office at (715) 468-4677 as soon as possible.
This is a non-smoking facility. Smoking will only be permitted if jurors are excused from the building during the lunch hour.
Dress comfortably, but avoid extremes in dress. There are usually no prescribed dress codes.
You are to park in the Washburn County Courthouse Parking Lot (south of the Law Enforcement Center), Washburn County Government Service Center (west of the Courthouse), or east of Hwy 63 in the Shell Lake Municipal Parking Lot.
Why not? Trial by jury is a cherished constitutional right. Every resident of an area served by a circuit court who is at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and able to understand English is qualified to serve as a juror.
No person who is qualified and able to serve may be excluded on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, income, age, ancestry or physical condition.
A person selected for jury service must be selected at random from a master listing using the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s list of people with motor vehicle licenses or identification cards who live in the area served by that circuit court.
All qualified people must have an equal chance to be considered for jury duty…and the obligation to serve as jurors when summoned.
Resolving legal disputes can be complex and unpredictable work. Often, cases are settled at the very last minute. When the jury is actually ready to hear the case, the parties often work out a last-minute compromise rather than gamble on what the jury will decide. These settlements may seem very inconvenient to you, but such settlements usually save time for all trial participants – and saves the taxpayers’ money. And yes, you may want to bring something to read. It will help make the time pass.