You have been selected to serve as a juror for the courts of record in Dutchess County. It is our distinct pleasure to welcome you to service, and we hope you will find the experience greatly satisfying and richly rewarding.
A foundation of our nation's legal system is the right of all citizens to a trial by jury. A trial is a means of resolving a dispute between parties in a civil case, or of determining the guilt or innocence of an accused in a criminal case. Your participation is a duty and a privilege, and without your cooperation our system of jurisprudence could not function. We hope that your experience will be satisfying and rewarding.
Contact our office immediately:
1) If you are not a citizen of the United States;
2) If you are not a resident of Dutchess County;
3) If you are less than eighteen years old;
4) If you cannot understand and communicate in the English language;
5) If you have been convicted of a felony;
6) If you have served within the last four years.
PLEASE DO NOT READ, LISTEN TO, OR DISCUSS ANYTHING ABOUT MATTERS BEFORE THE DUTCHESS COUNTY COURTS WHILE YOU ARE AVAILABLE FOR JURY SERVICE. Persons entering the Courthouse must pass through a metal detector, and no weapons, defensive sprays, knives, or other edged metal items are allowed.
Avoid complications - Notify your employer immediately if you have received a jury summons.
It is important to note that the failure to respond to a jury summons may result in a proceeding for non-compliance pursuant to the Judiciary Law.
We thank you for being available for jury service. Hopefully, you appreciate that people like yourself will sacrifice their time if you ever have a matter that requires a jury trial.
Sincerely,
LAWRENCE HEATON
Commissioner of Jurors