Jury Services
Jury service is one of the most important civic duties. We recognize the sacrifices made by jurors and appreciate the significant role our jurors serve in the American Justice System. Our judiciary and administrative staff are committed to making jury service as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Juror Announcement:
Notice: Effective September 1st, 2024 the court is participating in a pilot program to increase juror pay to $100 per day with a mileage reimbursement of $0.67 per mile for the second and subsequent days of service. Please complete our survey concerning your thoughts on juror pay at NCSC.org/shastajury.
Jurors are strongly encouraged to submit requests to defer jury duty or claim a hardship as soon as the information is known to the juror, but in any case not later than 7 days prior to the date to report for jury duty.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that “all employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19 while ensuring continuity of operations, including court trials." The court is actively working to help our jurors who may be concerned about COVID-19. If you are sick and have symptoms of COVID-19, and have been summoned for jury duty, please contact Jury Services at (530) 225-5701. Then press 2 to postpone your jury service date, and enter your badge number on your jury summons.
Notice: Beginning January 1, 2020, individuals with criminal records that meet certain criteria are eligible to serve as a juror.
In accordance with Senate Bill 310, which changes the eligibility and disqualification criteria listed in Section 203 of the Code of Civil Procedure, having a felony conviction on your criminal record does not disqualify you from jury service. This change is effective January 1, 2020.
However, if you have been convicted of a felony and are currently on parole, post-release community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for the conviction of a felony, you remain disqualified from jury service. Additionally, individuals who are currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code based on the felony conviction. Lastly, if any individual is incarcerated in any prison or jail, they are also disqualified from jury service.
For those individuals who will now be eligible for jury service and wish to serve, please remember that selection is random. The best way to ensure your name is added to the randomized selection process is to update your information with your county's local Registrar of Voters and with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Online Services
Transportation and Parking Information
Jury Information and FAQs
Courthouse Security
All persons, packages, and bags entering the Shasta County Courthouse are required to be screened for weapons at the front door. All prospective jurors are required to go through a metal detector at the security screening station located at the main entrance of the courthouse. Any type of metal may activate the detector. Jurors are encouraged to leave any questionable items at home or in their vehicles before reporting to the Jury Assembly Room.
No weapons are allowed in the courthouse. That includes knives of any length, sharp items, pepper spray, and any item which could be used as a weapon. Any item that could be used as a weapon (i.e., knitting needles, scissors, etc.) may be confiscated by the Shasta County Marshal’s Office and placed in an unsecured box at the security screening station. Owners will be able to claim their property when their business in the courthouse is finished.
All persons entering or leaving the courthouse must use the main entrance, which can be accessed via Court Street. Any attempt to use another entrance or exit will cause alarms to sound and Marshals to respond.
Only water is allowed in courtrooms. Medically necessary drinks may be an exception. Please verify with the bailiff if you are assigned to a courtroom.
Smoking is not allowed inside the courthouse, nor within 20 feet of any building entrance.
Directions, Parking, and RABA Information
Directions
Main Courthouse, 1515 Court Street, Redding CA 96001
Parking
Prospective jurors are allowed to park in the parking garage located on California street and in the designated juror parking lot located on Oregon Street next to the railroad tracks. Jurors are encouraged to park in that lot and walk one block to the courthouse.
Jurors are strongly discouraged from parking at metered spaces since it is unlikely you will be able to leave the courtroom to maintain the meter. Citations are issued to violators who do not maintain their meter.
PARKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE PARKING GARAGE LOCATED BEHIND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING ON WEST STREET.
Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA)
Prospective jurors may ride any Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) bus free of charge. Show the bus driver your summons when boarding. When you are finished with your jury service—retain the paper part of your juror badge (return the plastic badge holder to courtroom or jury personnel). If you are required to serve for more than one day, you will wear your juror badge daily for identification. Please show the bus driver your badge each day for the free fare.
RABA runs routes throughout Redding, Anderson, Shasta Lake and to several outlying areas of Shasta County such as Bella Vista, Round Mountain and Burney, Monday-Saturday and provides Demand Response buses for those with disabilities who are unable to reach a regular bus stop and have made application to participate in that service.
You may reach RABA for route information and hours of operation at 530-241-2877 (TTY/TDD: 711) or at www.RABARide.com.
Dress Code and Code of Conduct While Serving
Jurors are asked to dress appropriately for a courtroom. Business or casual dress is acceptable—jeans and t-shirts are okay. Jurors are warned that temperatures in courtrooms can vary widely (both cold and hot) and are encouraged to dress appropriately.
SHORTS AND TANK TOPS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN COURTROOMS. Wearing shorts or tank tops will not be used as a basis for excusing jurors. However, the judge may order that the prospective juror wear appropriate clothing if they must return for further service.
During the orientation process, it is asked that all electronic devices be silenced. The orientation is a requirement of State law and must be given to all prospective jurors.
Pursuant to Local Rule of Court, Rule 2.12, cellular phones and pagers must be turned off before entering courtrooms and may not be used in any of the courtrooms.
In the courtroom, please be alert and courteous. Listen to all information that is imparted and to all orders issued by the court. Do not leave the courtroom unless there is an emergency. If you must leave, please advise the bailiff. Please clear any medically necessary food or drink with the bailiff before use.
Reading material and handiwork may only be used while court is not in session.
If excused from a courtroom, please follow the trial judge’s instructions. You will be told if you are free to leave and resume your private endeavors or if you are to return to the Jury Assembly Room for assignment to another trial.
Effect of Jury Duty on Your Employment
Labor Code Section 230(a) states: ”No employers shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury, if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer that he or she is required to serve.”
By law, jury summons are required to be mailed ten days in advance of a juror’s beginning date. As a courtesy, the Shasta County Superior Court Jury Services Division mails summons 21 days in advance. Please notify your employer that you have been summoned to perform jury duty as soon as you receive your jury summons.
For those employers who have questions or concerns about their role in jury duty, an employer brochure is available in the Jury Assembly Room. Any employers with further questions are encouraged to contact the Jury Services staff directly.
If you feel you have been discriminated against or terminated solely because you served jury duty, there is a complaint process that can be used through the Labor Relations Department of the State of California. Please contact the Jury Services Division for further information.
How did my name get on the jury duty list?
Your name was selected at random from information compiled by the Department of Motor Vehicles and Elections Department.
How Hardships are Addressed
All eligible persons summoned for jury duty must serve when called upon to do so. Shasta County Superior Court maintains a one-day or one-trial service. If you report for jury duty and are dismissed from the Jury Assembly Room; if you report and are dismissed from a courtroom; if you are placed on telephone standby for up to five court days; or, if you serve one day on call, you have fulfilled your obligation for jury duty under the one-day or one-trial system. If you feel you have any reason that would stop you from serving jury duty for the minimum requirement, you must appear for service in the Jury Assembly Room on the first day and complete the orientation process that is required by California law. Jury Services personnel cannot excuse jurors for hardship.
Jurors are selected randomly for assignment to a courtroom. If selected, you will be given the opportunity to speak with the judge hearing the matter regarding your hardship excuse. The court will determine if you can be excused for hardship. Hardships may include vacation plans; work related issues; transportation problems; financial difficulties; or childcare issues.
How long do I stay on call?
If you are summoned for jury duty, you may be required to call in for up to three (3) court days; one-day/one-trial jury system applies.
How to Contact the Jury Services Division
Main Courthouse, 1515 Court Street, Room 170, Redding CA 96001 - Map
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Email Jury Services
(530) 605-2794 Fax
(530) 225-5701 Jury Summons Reporting Instructions (Reporting Information Only)
(800) 479-8880 Jury Summons Reporting Instructions (Toll Free Inside California)
Jury Services may be reached through U.S. mail, in person, Fax (530) 605-2794, and email (jury@shasta.courts.ca.gov).
Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under The Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Jury Services at jury@shasta.courts.ca.gov
Your jury summons instructs you to call for reporting instructions the evening BEFORE your beginning date. Reporting instructions may be accessed between 5:30 p.m., and 8:00 a.m., at the "Jury Summons Reporting Instructions" numbers above or by accessing the Jury Summons Reporting Instructions on the web.
How to request an excuse from jury duty?
All eligible persons summoned for jury duty must serve when called upon to do so. Shasta County Superior Court maintains a one-day or one-trial service. If you feel you have any reason that would stop you from serving jury duty, you must appear for service in the Jury Assembly Room on the first day and complete the orientation process that is required by California law. Jury Services personnel cannot excuse jurors for hardship.
Jurors are selected randomly for assignment to a courtroom. If selected, you will be given the opportunity to speak with the judge hearing the matter regarding your hardship excuse. The court will determine if you can be excused for hardship. Hardships may include vacation plans; work related issues; transportation problems; financial difficulties; or, childcare issues.
How to request an excuse for medical, mental or physical disability reasons?
A juror must provide a licensed 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 and the juror wants to be permanently excused from jury services, the physician’s note must also include the following information in the statement, “Please permanently excuse [juror’s name] from jury service.”
How to Request a Postponement of Service
The date you have been summoned to perform jury duty may be inconvenient for you. There are several ways you can request a postponement. The easiest way is to use the Jury Portal to request your postponement. You can also contact the Jury Services Division by phone numbers or the email address at the top of this page seven (7) days PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING DATE OF SERVICE. Those persons calling or appearing on their scheduled date of service to request a postponement may be denied that postponement. The court understands there may be circumstances that may temporarily make you unable to serve jury duty. Jury staff will be happy to work with you to make arrangements so that you may serve at a time that is more convenient for your schedule.
Shasta County Superior Court’s Jury Procedures state that a prospective juror’s service may be postponed to a certain date within three (3) months of the original date of service.
I am attending college outside of Shasta County, what should I do?
Please email Jury Services at jury@shasta.courts.ca.gov.
I am in active military duty. How do I handle this?
Please email Jury Services at jury@shasta.courts.ca.gov.
I received a Failure to Appear summons now what?
Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, Section 209, any juror who fails to respond to a jury summons as directed may be found in contempt of court, punishable by a fine, incarceration, or both.
Juror Payment
On September 15, 2022, Assembly Bill (AB) 1981 was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. The new legislation raises the current mileage reimbursement of $.34 per mile one way to roundtrip. AB 1981 also includes a pilot program for two fiscal years to study whether increases in juror compensation and mileage reimbursement rates increase juror diversity and participation and provide a report to the Legislature by September 1, 2026. Shasta Superior Court was selected as one of 6 pilot courts in California to offer the increased daily pay of $100 and mileage rate of $0.67 which take effect September 1, 2024.
Effective September 1st, 2024 the daily pay and mileage reimbursemnts for jurors are:
- $100 per day (after the first day of service)
- $.67 per mile (after the first day of service and round trip only) from their home to the courthouse.
Prior to September 1st, 2024 juror rates were as follows:
- $15 per day (after the first day of service)
- $.34 per mile (after the first day of service and round trip only) from their home to the courthouse.
Please complete our survey concerning your thoughts on juror pay at NCSC.org/shastajury or by following the QR code below:
Government Employees may not claim daily pay. Jurors who are employed by a governmental entity and receive their regular compensation and benefits while serving as a juror MAY NOT CLAIM JURY PAY for their service. Code of Civil Procedure, Section 481.200 and Government Code, Section 811.2 define public entities as:
- Federal
- State (and all political subdivisions of the state)
- Regents of the University of California
- County
- City
- District
- Public authorities
- Public corporations
Employers are not required by law to pay an employee’s wages while they are performing jury duty. They can allow an employee to use any available form of paid leave so that the employee will continue to be paid while away from work while performing jury duty.
Please log on to your Jury Portal to make your decisions about accepting the daily pay & mileage.
Jurors serving on a trial are paid upon completion of the trial. Generally, jurors should receive payment within two to four weeks of completion of service.
Term of Service
Pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 191, jury service is an obligation of citizenship.
California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1002, which became effective July 1, 1999, states that a person has fulfilled his or her jury service obligation for one (1) year when he or she has:
- Served on one trial until discharged
- Been assigned on one day to one or more trial departments for jury selection and served through the completion of jury selection or until excused by the jury commissioner
- Attended court but was not assigned to a trial department for selection of a jury before the end of that day
- Served one day on call, or
- Served no more than three (3) court days on telephone standby
Once a juror becomes eligible to serve again they may or may not hear from our office. Names are selected randomly each year from a pool compiled from two different source lists. Jurors should be aware that, according to statute, they could be utilized as a prospective juror on their first day of service for the entire business day. In Shasta County, this generally means that you may be at court from 8:00 a.m., to 5:00 p.m. If jury selection is close to completion, a jury panel may be held past 5:00 p.m. However, that is an exception rather than the rule.
Serving one day on call means that when you call for reporting instructions, you are directed to call back to the recorded message line at a specific time the next day to report within that same day. You can be asked to report to the Jury Assembly Room in as little as an hour’s time. If you are not required to report that day, you will be considered completed for service for one (1) year. Until given a time to report while on call, you are free to go about your personal endeavors. Telephone standby means that you may be requested to call back each night after 5:30 p.m., for reporting instructions for a day other than the beginning date shown on your summons. Trial weeks generally begin on Tuesdays, but individual trials may begin on a later day during the week. The date shown on your summons is strictly a beginning date. Until given a time to report within that three (3) day period, you are free to go about your personal endeavors.
What if my boss will not let me off to serve as a juror?
Employer’s have a legal obligation to let the employee serve without fear of harassment or dismissal resulting from jury service. The California Labor Code prohibits an employer from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned to court to serve as a juror. Employees who are harassed or fired can file a claim with the state's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and employers can also be prosecuted criminally and face misdemeanor charges if found guilty.
Labor Code, Section 230(a) states: “No employers shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against an employee for taking time off to serve as required by law on an inquest jury or trial jury, if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer that he or she is required to serve.”
Where to Report
See the Location section at the top of this page. Please bring your summons to receive attendance at the self check-in kiosk.
When do I need to report?
Visit the Jury Services Reporting Instructions to find out which group numbers are to report, are on telephone standby, or for further instructions, or call the Automated Jury System ((530) 225-5701) after 5:30 p.m., the evening prior to your jury service date for reporting instructions.
Who may be called to jury duty
You are eligible for jury duty if you:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are a citizen of the United States
- Are a resident of the county where you are summoned
- Understand English
- Have not served as a juror within the past twelve months
Who is Exempt from Service
The following persons are exempt from serving jury duty:
- Persons who are not citizens of the United States
- Persons who are less than 18 years of age
- Persons who are not residents of the County of Shasta
- Persons who have been convicted of malfeasance if office and have not had their civil rights restored
- Persons who do not understand the English language
- Peace officers, as defined in Penal Code Sections 830.1, 830.2(a,b,c) and 830.33(a)only
- Persons who have served as grand or trial jurors in any court of this state within the last 12 months
- Persons who are the subject of a conservatorship
- Persons while they are incarcerated in any prison, or jail
- Persons who have been convicted of a felony and are currently on parole, postrelease community supervision, felony probation, or mandated supervision for the conviction of a felony
- Persons who are currently required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code Section 290 based on a felony conviction
Jury Services personnel can only excuse:
Persons that have a physical or mental impairment that would expose them to undue risk of mental or physical harm (must provide a medical professional’s note stating such impairment exists if under 70 years of age).
Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, Section 204(a), no one shall be exempt from jury service by reason of occupation, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, economic status, or sexual orientation, or for any other reason except as allowed by law.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet is available to the public.