NM Seal

State of New Mexico

Twelfth Judicial District Court

Lincoln and Otero Counties

Justice

Juror Frequently Asked Questions

Home Back	Who may serve for jury duty? How was I selected for jury duty? Can my name be permanently removed from the list of potential jurors? How do I request excusal/postponement from jury service? Will I be paid for jury duty? How will I be paid for jury duty? What should I do if I am selected for a trial but can't make it to court due to an emergency? Must I have a doctor's excuse to be released from jury duty due to a medical condition? What should I do if I have trouble hearing in the courtroom? Does the Court provide meals and refreshments? Does the Court provide childcare? Can I serve as a juror on more than one trial during the course of my jury duty? Can we, the jurors, takes notes? Are we, the jurors, allowed to talk about the case?

	Who may serve for jury duty? Any citizen living within Lincoln or Otero County who meets specific requirements and who is either a registered voter, licensed driver or New Mexico state income tax filer is eligible to sit for jury service. Top of Page
	How was I selected for jury duty? The Information Services Division in Santa Fe maintains a database of potential jurors. The database is populated using information from the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles, voter registration, and personal income tax filers. This information is merged to form a master jury database, or "master jury list", for random selection of jurors. Upon request from the court, a specific number of names are randomly selected and the summonses are printed. The Administrative Office of the Courts, also located in Santa Fe, mails the summonses to prospective jurors. The Court has no control over who is chosen or what names are in the database, nor can we remove an individual from the master jury list. Top of Page
	Can my name be permanently removed from the list of potential jurors? You cannot be permanently exempted from jury service. If your jury service is scheduled for a date that conflicts with your schedule, please request a postponement for a more convenient time. Jury service may be postponed for up to six months. Top of Page
	How do I request excusal/postponement from jury service? You must fill out and submit an excusal request form and submit it to the Court along with supporting documents. The form is included in the juror packet sent to all prospective jurors. Use the Request for Postponement or Excusal located on the back side of the Juror Qualification Form. To request excusal or postponement for: • Medical - Include a letter from your healthcare provider on the healthcare provider's letterhead. • Financial Hardship - Include a detailed explanation. • Primary Caregiver for Someone Who Is Ill - Include a letter from that person's healthcare provider on the healthcare provider's letterhead. • All Others - Provide a detailed explanation. Top of Page
	Will I be paid for jury duty? You may qualify to be reimbursed for travel to and from your home to the courthouse at mileage rates set by statute. To receive mileage, your home must be at least 15 miles roundtrip from the courthouse. State public employees who either live or work within 15 miles of the courthouse will not be paid mileage. You also may qualify to receive payment for each hour you are in attendance, as set by statute. State, City and County employees will be paid only if the jury duty date is on their scheduled day off. Armed Forces personnel will not be paid. Top of Page
	How will I be paid for jury duty? If you qualify for mileage reimbursement or hourly payment, you will receive a check each time you are asked to appear, even if you are not selected for jury duty. Payment will be processed by the local court within five days after the end of the trial, and will be issued from Santa Fe within four to six weeks. Top of Page
	What should I do if I am selected for a trial but can't make it to court due to an emergency? Call the Jury Clerk as soon as possible. Top of Page
	Must I have a doctor's excuse to be released from jury duty due to a medical condition? If you request to be excused for medical reasons, a letter from your healthcare provider, on the healthcare provider's letterhead, must be provided with the Juror Qualification Form and Juror Questionnaire. Top of Page
	What should I do if I have trouble hearing in the courtroom? The Court provides hearing assistance devices for jurors. If you know before the hearing that you may have difficulty, notify the Jury Clerk in advance. During the hearing, notify the Bailiff or the Jury Clerk. Top of Page
	Does the Court provide meals and refreshments? The Court provides beverages to empaneled jurors. Meals are provided only to jurors who are in deliberation or sequestered. Top of Page
	Does the Court provide childcare? The Court does not provide childcare. Top of Page
	Can I serve as a juror on more than one trial during the course of my jury duty? Yes, it is possible to serve as a juror on more than one trial. Top of Page
	Can we, the jurors, takes notes? It is a decision made by the trial judge depending on the circumstances of the case. Top of Page
	Are we, the jurors, allowed to talk about the case? After the trial is over, it is public information. During the trial you must not discuss the case with each other or anyone else. Top of Page