Jury Commission
qualify for jury duty-
To complete your online Qualification Form; Click on the Jury Gavel icon to log into the Howell County Juror Portal.
All Summoned for Howell County Jury Duty must complete the Qualification Form to be compliant with Mo. Statue. If you are unable to complete the online form from the Gavel Link, or it is unavailable, you may request a paper Questionnaire from the Howell County Circuit Clerks Civil division office.
jury duty schedule-
You are to appear on the REPORT DATE AND TIME for your Panel…. A or B as indicated. Please Note: Most report times are no later than 8:15 a.m. You will NOT be notified when a jury trial is “called off”
JURORS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER:
BE SURE YOUR Jury Duty QUALIFICATION FORM IS COMPLETE!
PANEL A: YOUR FIRST REPORT DATE IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3rd @8am
PANEL B: YOUR FIRST REPORT DATE IS NOW WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11th @8am
Because we experience frequent and last-minute changes YOU SHOULD BE AWARE: The Jury Trial Schedule changes often. However you may check this site or phone recording at (417)256-7505 for the latest information. Checking either of these platforms AFTER 5:00 PM the evening BEFORE you report may prevent you from appearing unnecessarily for Jury Duty.
Thank you for your willingness to aid in the process of the Judicial system. We recognize that jury duty is time-consuming and often an imposition on our jurors, but it is one of the highest forms of civic duty we as citizens can perform for our country. We hope that you find your service to be of value. I know the courthouse personnel certainly values the time and effort that you sacrifice to serve this county as a Juror.
Jury Service: Hallmark of the American System of Justice
Few activities in our civic life provide such direct contact with our democracy as jury service. Besides voting, nothing is so active and participatory in nature. In fact, Thomas Jefferson believed that serving on a jury is more important than voting. He said, “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
Report to the: HOWELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE, WEST DOOR ENTRANCE
Be Advised: – All PATRONS entering the courthouse are subject to search by security staff…WEAPONS and BAGS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE COURTHOUSE. All knives will be confiscated and not returned. CELL PHONES AND SMART WATCHES ARE NOT TO BE IN THE COURTROOMS, PLEASE DO NOT BRING THEM FOR JURY DUTY.
– APPROPRIATE DRESS IS REQUIRED FOR JURY DUTY. (Think Business Casual) SHORTS, TANK TOPS, GRAPHIC TEE SHIRTS, PAJAMAS OR HATS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED PAST SECURITY. You will not be Excused if you show up dressed improperly.
If you need accommodations for a disability or special dietary needs, please call (417) 256-3741 during office hours, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., at least one week in advance of your report date. You may also use this number in case of an emergency while you are serving. Access to jury service is available to all individuals with a disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. THANK YOU.
We would like to take this opportunity to Thank YOU for your service and cooperation and hope this website will provide quick and easy access to information on upcoming jury trials during your 2 Months of Jury Duty. We update this website and our phone service on a regular basis; feel free to check back as often as needed.
Howell County Jury Information
For other frequently asked questions and items of interest, be sure to check out our FAQ page by clicking on this link Jury Duty FAQs
Overview
Jefferson City randomly selects the Jury pools from Voter Registration AND The Department of Revenue files. It is possible these records have not been updated with your most recent address. Your helpfulness in completing the qualification questions will allow you to update our records.
All Summons cards are mailed the month prior to the first report date.
Prior to showing up for Jury Duty, all Jurors must complete the Qualification form within 10 days of receiving their summons.
Howell County Jurors are on call for two months.
In order to minimize the inconvenience to our jurors’ lives; You are encouraged to call the recorded Howell County Jury information line or check this website the night before your report date to ensure that there has been no change in the reporting instructions. Sometimes the Court cancels jury trials for various reasons and jurors can determine this by following the call-in or website instructions.
The Summons
- Complete the online bio and questionnaire or contact the Circuit Clerks Civil office to complete the paper version. Either way, the Jury Duty qualification process can be completed within 10 days of receiving your summons.
- Please bring your summons with you each time you report for jury duty
Medical Excuses
If you are requesting a disqualification or excusal due to mental health or medical reasons, or because you are a 24 hr caregiver for someone with a medical or mental reason, you MUST provide a doctor’s excuse. This should be done at least two weeks before your first report date.
You may submit Doctors excuses by
- uploading them through eJuror,
- hand deliver to the courthouse,
- or for your convenience have your Doctors office fax your excuse directly to the Jury Commission. (fax#417-256-4650)
Your diagnosis or medical records are not required. However the Doctors recommendation is essential. Please have all doctor’s excuses submitted at least 2 weeks before your report date. In other words, all requests that do not have an associated doctor’s note will be denied.
Verify Your Report Date
Call the automated Howell County Jury information line (417) 256-7505 OR you may check this website after 5:00 p.m. the evening before you are to report for jury duty. The recorded message will announce reporting instructions for your panel (A or B).
Reporting For Jury Duty
Report to the Howell County Courthouse, located at 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775. Please allow ample time for parking and security screening. The Courthouse opens promptly at 8:00 am.
- You will have to go through a Security Screening to enter the Courthouse.
- Be aware of items that trigger the screening process, such as watches, belts, or possibly jewelry.
- You will need to return any prohibited item to your vehicle, or dispose of it.
ITEMS NOT ALLOWED IN THE COURTHOUSE, but not limited to:
- any firearm or weapon
- sharp objects of any kind, ie: metal utensils, knitting needles, scissors, tools or knives
- flammable chemicals including hair spray, pepper spray, mace or cigarette lighters.
- purses, handbags, briefcases, backpacks, waist packs, diaper bags, or duffel bags
- cell phones, smart watches, electronic devices
Therefore they should remain in your vehicle.
Jury Selection
The selection process usually lasts most of the morning hours. Typically there is a minimum of a one-hour lunch break around noon, and restroom breaks mid-morning and mid-afternoon when needed.
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