Schenectady County Courts

JURY INFORMATION

Daily Call-In Message

GENERAL INFORMATION

Telephone Standby: All trial jurors are on standby and report to the courthouse when instructed to do so by means of a recorded message. The recorded message will refer to you by juror number. Please report promptly at the time indicated in the message. The telephone call-in number is (518)285-8700.

Parking: The Broadway Parking Garage located at 220 Broadway, Schenectady, offers discounted juror parking at the rate of $3.00 per day. Please bring your ticket for validation when reporting for service. One-hour on-street metered parking is available but not recommended. There is no reimbursement for parking tickets, transportation fares or parking lot fees.

Absence/Emergency: If an illness or emergency prevents you from reporting, please call (518)285-8503.

Court Hours: Court normally operates from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with a lunch recess. There are brief recesses throughout the day based upon the discretion of the Judge. Court sessions do not often continue beyond 5:00 p.m., except for extraordinary circumstances.

Court Security: All persons and packages entering the court facility are subject to magnetometer and x-ray screening. Weapons of any kind and all sharp or dangerous instruments, including knives and scissors, are not permitted. Any use of video/audio recording equipment, including video/audio capable cell phone/smart phones, is strictly prohibited.

Dress Code: Please dress in a manner respectful to the Court. No shorts, cut-offs, halters, tank tops, etc.

Meals: All meals are your own responsibility. You are free to bring your own lunch. There are restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse. Vending machines are located in on the first floor of the courthouse as well as the lobby area of the County Office Building.

Verification of Attendance: Upon request, a voucher will be provided. The voucher will provide information regarding the date of appearance and times of appearance and dismissal.

Jury Pay: By New York State Law, the daily pay rate for jurors is $40.00. Jurors who are employed and who receive regular wages while they are serving as jurors are not entitled to payment from the Court system unless they serve on a regularly scheduled day off.

Judiciary Law 519. Right of juror to be absent from employment: Any person who is summoned to serve as a juror under the provisions of this article and who notifies his or her employer to that effect prior to the commencement of a term of service shall not, on account of absence from employment by reason of such jury service, be subject to discharge or penalty. An employer may, however, withhold wages of any such employee serving as a juror during the period of such service, provided that an employer who employs more than ten employees shall not withhold the first forty dollars of such jurors daily wages during the first three days of jury service. Withholding of wages in accordance with this section shall not be deemed a penalty. Violation of this section shall constitute a criminal contempt of court punishable pursuant to section seven hundred fifty of this chapter.

For help figuring out how the rules apply to your individual circumstances, you can use the chart: Juror's Fees