JURY REPORTING MESSAGE
for Ithaca City Court

 


JURORS SUMMONED FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009 ARE NOT TO REPORT; YOUR SERVICE IS COMPLETE.

TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR JURY SERVICE, YOU MUST  EITHER USE THE ONLINE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (by clicking here) OR YOU CAN COMPLETE THE INFORMATION FORM WHICH WAS SENT TO YOU WITH YOUR SUMMONS AND RETURN IT TO THE ITHACA CITY COURT AT 118 E. CLINTON STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850.  THE INFORMATION FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY THIS COURT ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009. (If you do not wish to use the online notification system or you have lost the information form which was sent with your summons, you may access the printable form available on this website by clicking here and mailing the form to the Court).

FAILURE TO RETURN THE COMPLETED INFORMATION FORM MAY RESULT IN YOUR BEING SUMMONED AGAIN FOR JURY SERVICE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

»  We are interested in your comments: You may email the Ithaca City Court
 

Jury Information:

»LOCATION OF CITY COURT 

» DOCUMENTS TO BRING
     TO JURY DUTY

» PARKING (including
   » HANDICAP PARKING)

» POSTPONEMENT REQUESTS

» SECURITY

» MEDICAL EXCUSE

» LENGTH OF SERVICE

» CAREGIVER EXCUSE

» IF YOU FAIL TO REPORT

» JUROR'S HANDBOOK

» FAQ's including compensation

» ITHACA CITY COURT HOME PAGE

» UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
     JURY INFORMATION

 

LOCATION OF THE CITY COURT:
The city courthouse is located at 118 E. Clinton Street, Ithaca (behind the Ithaca Police Department).

PARKING:
Parking is available in the Cayuga Street Garage (free parking for the first hour) across from the Holiday Inn.  

HANDICAP PARKING:
Handicap parking is available in the police station parking lot adjacent to the city courthouse. The entrance for handicap parking is at 118 E. Clinton Street.

DOCUMENTS TO BRING FOR JURY SERVICE:

Information Form:   Bring your completed, signed juror information form which was   sent with
                                    your summons or complete the online printable form..

SECURITY:
All jurors are required to pass through metal detection screening for security reasons. Weapons of any kind and all sharp or dangerous instruments are prohibited in the City Courthouse.   These items include all knives and everyday items such as scissors, pen knives and any sharp objects.  These items will be confiscated and returned to you upon your exiting the building.

Cell phones must be turned off upon entering the courtroom and, if the case of deliberating juries, are not allowed in the juryroom.  It is suggested that cell phones be left at home or locked car.

Cameras are not allowed in the Courtroom and will be confiscated upon entering the building and returned upon exiting the building.

LENGTH OF SERVICE:
Jurors are summoned for one trial only. City Court trials generally last from 1 to 2 days. However, in some instances, trials may last up to a week or more.

POSTPONEMENT REQUEST:
Effective January 1, 1996, there are no automatic or occupational exemptions from jury service (click here for medical or care givers postponements). The law does allow you one postponement. The request for one postponement must be made at least 5 court days prior to the date on your summons. Only one postponement will be granted. You will also be required to select an alternate date for service within (6) months or the Court will select a date for you. Students must select an alternate date when available to serve during a school recess.

This one request for a postponement may be made by telephone by calling 273-2263.

The Court can not consider a request for a second postponement unless there is a medical or family emergency. Work related excuses, requests from employers and financial hardship are not reasons for a second postponement.

Medical excuses:
The Court can consider a longer postponement in rare instances when the prospective juror has satisfactorily demonstrated that he or she has a mental or physical condition that renders him or her incapable of performing jury service.

In these instances, an original medical note will be required from a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist indicating the nature of the illness or incapacity, the duration that the incapacity is likely to exist, and a conclusion that the juror is not physically or mentally capable of performing jury service.

If the juror is employed and is requesting a medical postponement, the juror must submit a statement from his or her employer indicating his or her age, the nature of employment (i.e. secretary, professor, etc) and hours worked.

This information must be submitted to the Court at least 5 days before the date listed on the summons. Upon review of the documentation by the Court, you will be notified if your request is granted or if additional documentation is needed.
 
 

Caregiver for a sick, aged, infirmed or disabled individual:
The Court can consider a longer postponement in rare instances when the prospective juror has satisfactorily demonstrated that he or she has a personal obligation to care for another, including sick, aged, infirmed or disabled dependent.

The following documentation must be submitted at least 5 days before the date listed on the summons:

1. A statement by the care giver indicating that he or she is the primary care giver, the hours that care is provided and the reasons as to why no alternate care is available by either a spouse, friend, neighbor, other relative or paid care giver without severe financial hardship. (Pursuant to the Chief Administrative Rules, a severe hardship is one where service as a juror is for at least five consecutive days); AND

2. An original statement from a licensed physician, psychiatrist or psychologist describing the condition of an aged, sick, infirmed or disabled person.

Upon review of the documentation by the Court, you will be notified if your request is granted or if additional documentation is needed.
 

Instructions if you fail to check the message or appear:
If you forget to check the message and/or appear for jury service as instructed, you should contact this Court at 273-2263 for further instructions, as soon as possible.