Information for Employers

Benefits to Business

Businesses frequently benefit directly from our legal system. The civil litigation system in particular is filled with a variety of business-related disputes. These may include actions concerning contracts, product defects, wrongful termination, malpractice, and environmental issues.

How Employers can help

Employers and businesses are encouraged to help support the jury system by paying employees while they are serving jury duty. Far too many potential jurors who want to serve have asked to be excused because the loss of income would create a financial hardship. If together, we can decrease the number of people claiming financial hardship, we create a much broader cross section of the community who are available to serve. This will help create juries that are truly representative and reflective of our community. By agreeing to compensate employees during jury service, not only will employers continue to enjoy the benefits of the jury system, but they will contribute towards its improvement.

How Jurors are Summoned

The selection and management of jurors is governed by the Ohio Revised Code. Annually, the names of 600 prospective jurors are selected at random from the list of registered voters in Miami County. Jury Summonses are mailed approximately 30 days in advance of the service date. The summons contains information and instructions on submitting requests for excusal.

Length of Service

Employers have valid concerns about how jury service affects their available resources. The court recognizes these concerns and we strive to make the best use of the time an employee spends on jury duty. Regular jury service in the Municipal Court

is one month of jury pool service. Most jury trials are completed in 1-2 business days. There are currently 2 judges and one Magistrate responsible for dockets and any case set for trial on a given day could result in the need for a jury panel. Therefore, we must have a jury pool available. We will make every effort to ensure that jurors are not held unnecessarily. However, as long as the prosecution and defense attorneys, as well as the Jury deliberation takes to resolve the case, a jury must be available to serve that courtroom.

Pay Policy

State Law does not currently require employers to continue paying the salary of employees while they are serving as jurors. However, many employers including state, federal, and local government agencies, have a policy which compensates employees for at least part, if not all the time spent for jury service. If employers do pay, then they are obligated to let their employee serve when they are called. The court does not excuse prospective jurors based on a work or employer hardship. A postponement of the service will be granted to allow additional time to prepare for the employees absence. See Requests for Postponement.

Proof of Attendance

Work verification is in the form of the original summons. The information included on this report includes the total number of days the juror reported for service (each day is listed individually) and general per diem information which applies to all jurors who complete their term of service. The hours that a juror spent in court are not reported as we do not keep track of this information.

Employee Protection

As the employer, you must allow an employee time off to serve on jury duty. It is against the law for any employer to threaten or terminate an employee who is summoned to court for jury service.