Your service as a juror is an indispensable and integral part of ensuring each individual’s right to a fair and impartial trial. In fact, the right to a trial by jury is the cornerstone of our country’s justice system.


 Rock County Courthouse
2nd Floor 51 S Main Street Janesville, WI 53545

Phone 608-743-2222
Fax 608-743-2223

Monday-Friday Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 Information for Jurors

Jury duty is one of the highest forms of public service that any American can perform. It is vital that you appear for your jury service.

As we slowly and cautiously resume jury trials, we want to reassure prospective jurors that we are following CDC recommendations and working with health care professionals

to ensure the health and safety of the jury, the parties, lawyers, and Court staff during the jury selection and trial process.

 


Quick Links

Guide to Service

It is mandatory you check your jury status by either calling the recorded message at 608-757-5550 or 608-757-5572 (listen for your Pool Member number) or online at https://juror.wicourts.gov (you will need your Juror ID located under the barcode) each Friday through Sunday before your term begins.  The information is available after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.  The message will confirm your service, date to report for jury selection, and starting time or inform you of changes or cancellations. 

Report to the Jury Assembly Room (2nd floor of the building) in the Rock County Courthouse, 51 S. Main St, Janesville.  Jurors will be advised what time to report on your first day.  Jurors who request text or e-mail reminders will also receive electronic notification.

When you arrive at the courthouse there will be several safety measures in place. Please come prepared.

Physical Distancing  Be patient. All those who enter the Courthouse will be required to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from other persons. Public areas are marked on the floor to identify appropriate physical spacing. This will include entryways, hallways, and elevators. With the additional physical distancing measures, entering the building may be much more time consuming than usual, so please plan accordingly. We appreciate your patience. 


Masks are required in all County buildings and will be provided to those entering the building if you do not have one. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID 19 will be denied access to the building as Rock County is committed to not spreading COVID 19 and to keep everyone, including jurors, safe as you serve your civic duty. On the day you are to report to jury service, prior to reporting, you must take an on-line confidential health assessment.

Link to: Juror Health Evaluation

If you are unable to report for jury duty because you are ill, contact jury management at (608-743-2222). Completion of the health assessment will be confirmed and will need to be completed prior to check-in.

If you have any questions, you can contact us at 608-743-2222 or [email protected]. 


Check-in upon arrival and when returning from court. Jurors who do not check-in will be marked absent and will not be paid. When you are released for the day from the Jury Assembly area or from a court, you will be instructed either by the Jury Management staff or the judge when and where to report the next day.


Availability. If you absolutely cannot serve the dates scheduled, you can request a postponement. If you serve the first day, you are expected to complete your service. If any of the following apply at this time, contact our office:
  • You are no longer a Rock County resident
  • You are on probation or parole for a felony
  • You are not a U.S. citizen

Preparing to Report for Jury Duty

To increase safety and following the recommendation of the CDC and health care professionals, if you are selected to report to the Courthouse for jury duty:
(1) On the day of service, potential jurors should take a pre-screen online health and risk factors assessment prior to reporting.
 
Link to: Juror Health Evaluation

If a potential juror has any of the symptoms listed, they are advised to contact Jury Services at 608-743-2222.

(2) View the Orientation to Jury Services. The Jury handbook and a 20 minutes video that gives you an overview of jury duty.
 

Parking

Jurors are to enter through the front doors and go through Security.  You may park on either level of the front parking structure. 
Handicapped parking is only available on the upper level.
 
 Illness or Emergency

If you are unable to report for jury duty because of illness or emergency, call the jury line 7:30 a.m. at 608-743-2222. If you are unable to complete your service, your service will be postponed.
Jurors assigned to a panel in court: You must contact the Jury Management office at 608-743-2222 shortly after 7:30 a.m. You will be transferred to the courtroom in which you are serving as you report directly to the judge. Keep in mind that once you are sworn on a panel, the case cannot proceed without all jurors present.

 Juror Pay

You will be paid a juror fee of $16 for each half-day you are present for jury service ($32 for a full day) plus mileage. Your check will be mailed to your home 15 - 21 days after the end of your jury duty. No deductions are made from your check for any purpose, and we do not furnish a W-2 form at the end of the year.


If you have had an address change since you were summoned, inform the Jury Management staff. Checks are issued approximately three weeks after your jury service is complete. Jury paychecks expire 60 days after they are printed. Cash them promptly as the County Treasurer's office charges $5 to re-issue a check that has expired.

Breaks

Periodic breaks will be announced. Jurors are not permitted to leave the jury assembly area. 
Smoking is not allowed in the Courthouse. Notify the Jury Management staff before leaving the building to smoke during a break.  Be sure to smoke at least 30 feet from any entrance to the building.

Juror Badge 

Your juror sticker is to be worn at all times in the Courthouse. We will provide a new sticker each day of your service. This will ensure that people do not discuss court cases or proceedings in your presence and to let them know you have passed the health screening.

Lunch Break

Lunch and water will be provided.  If you have special dietary requirements, you may want to bring your own lunch.  Snacks will not be provided.  You are allowed to bring your own.  A refrigerator is not available, it is recommended you bring something non-perishable and/or in an insulated lunch box.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in the Jury Assembly Room.  Once you are in the courtroom, the bailiff will assist you.

Employer Form Letter

The Jury Management staff will provide a form letter for your employer showing the days served and the amount of money paid for serving as a juror. These form letters will be mailed to you at the end of your jury service. We do not mail letters directly to your employer.

Additional Information

For inclement weather information, call 608-757-5550 or 608-757-5572. Courts seldom close due to weather.

It is very important not to discuss any case with your fellow jurors or even members of your family.

Cell phones, pagers, and computers and other electronic devices are not to be used in the courtrooms or deliberation rooms without the prior consent of the Judge. The clerk will inform you when you may use them in the Jury Assembly area.  All electronics must be off during your visit. Jurors coming to the courthouse will go through metal detectors when entering the building. Leave sharp objects at home (including pocket knives, scissors, fingernail clippers, metal nail files, wallet chains, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and pepper spray).

You may not visit any courtrooms or conduct court business while you are here serving as a juror, as you may get the wrong impression of cases being heard. Trials may seem alike, but each case must be judged individually. Any other time, all courtrooms are open to the public.

Due to maintaining physical distances of 6 feet, seating in the Jury Assembly Room is reserved for summoned jurors only.  Individuals accompanying you will have to wait in the outer lobby or in their cars.  

Juror names are obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles database. This includes driver’s licenses and state identification cards issued by the DMV. Voter lists are not used.

Be on time. Once you are selected on a panel, the court cannot continue unless all jurors are present.

Let the Jury Management and court staff know if you have any special needs.

What Not to Bring to Jury Duty
 
Aerosols Alcohol Ammunition Awls
Batons Blades Bottle/Can Openers Box Cutters
Brass Knuckles Chains > 6 inches including wallet chains Corkscrews Drugs/illegal Drugs
Drug Paraphernalia Explosives Metal files Firearms
Handcuff or similar small keys Metal hair picks Comb with a sharp edge or pointed end Heavy blunt items
Nunchucks Pepper spray/Mace Handcuffs/flexi-cuffs or any type of restraining device Large belt buckles
Letter openers Locks larger than one inch (1)  inch x inch  Lock picking kits Knives (illegal if blade > 3 inches)
Razors Replica weapons Scissors Scrapers
Sharp objects Steel bearings Switchblade Butterfly Knives
Metal tape measure Taser/Stun gun/Electric weapons Throwing Stars Tire chain
Tools (screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, saws) Tow chain Metal kitchen utensils Plastic pipework (PVC pipe)
Oversized walking sticks (determined by Security) Large signs with frames or sticks attached    

AND ANY OTHER ITEM THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A WEAPON.

These items will be confiscated at security and not returned.