Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions

Please first read the summons. The address, the date, your group number and the time that you are to report for jury duty will be written on the summons. Also, please note the location. Tehama County Superior Court has four different locations where you might be summoned to serve.

Yes, it is an obligation of citizenship.

We receive names annually from the Tehama County Voter Registration list and the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Yes, but NOT on the day of appearance. All requests for postponement must be submitted no later than five (5) days from receipt of the summons. If you have health problems, a paid vacation or other personal commitments at the time you are initially called, you may request a one-time postponement. Generally, the jury commissioner can grant you a 30, 60 or 90-day deferment, but you are limited to two deferments. No phone requests for postponement can be granted.

A juror must provide a physician's verification note on a prescription pad or letterhead signed by a doctor. The note must state that the juror cannot serve on jury duty for medical reasons and should indicate the duration of the illness or problem. If the condition is permanent or long term, the physician must also include that information in the statement.

Mail the post card from your summons (Part II) with the reason for the request for postponement. If your postponement is not granted, you will be called and so notified.

Please note: The summons is a tri-fold form and has three parts. It needs to be fully opened to see all the information. Please read all the information completely.

If you request a postponement of your service and it is granted, you will not be called and you will be resummoned for jury service at a later date. If your request is not granted, you will be called and so notified.

You may be called to serve if you are at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of the county. You must be able to understand English, be physically and mentally capable of serving, and have no felony convictions. You will be excused from jury service if you have proof that you already were called as a juror during the past 24 months.

The first day is unpaid. If you are summoned for more than one day, you are paid for each day of service or part of a day that you serve after the first day. The State Legislature sets the minimum amount paid. After the first day of service, the Court will reimburse for one-way mileage costs.

Business or casual attire is suggested. Shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, beach shoes, or similar dress are not appropriate for the courtroom. Jurors are advised to dress in layers as the temperature of the courtrooms can be unpredictable.

In most cases, trials last from 1 to 3 days.

No. Please see the section Information for Employers.

There is no law that compels your employer to pay.

No. Please make other arrangements for your children's care. Please do not bring children to court.

In Tehama County, a person who is summoned and appears for a trial is exempt from further jury service for 24 months. If you call in and your jury service is cancelled (the trial goes off), then you may be recalled sooner than 24 months.

Contact the jury commissioner's office as soon as you know that you are going to be late. If you do not have a good excuse, the judge may fine you for being late.

Please contact the jury office immediately. If you fail to appear in Court as summoned, the Court may order and issue a warrant for your arrest. If you are found in contempt, you may be punished by jail and/or a fine.

Contact your jury office and let them know what type of assistance you will need. If they cannot reasonably accommodate you, you may be excused from jury service. Please contact the jury office as soon as you receive your summons if you require special accommodations.

You should plan on being present from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. In some cases, you may be summoned to appear beginning in the afternoon. The lunch break for jurors is typically from 12 noon to 1:30 PM with brief recesses throughout the day.

For Red Bluff locations, parking is limited. Early arrival is suggested. See parking information and driving directions.