Jury Information

Click on the buttons to the right of the County name for jury information or to submit a request to be excused or deferred from jury service.

The form below is provided to afford you an alternative means of securing a jury excuse or to get your jury service deferred. If you have received a jury summons, there is information on the summons about what to do if you are unable to serve or if you need a deferral of your jury service to a later date. Traditionally, this involves going to the courthouse in the county where you reside and waiting in line with others to explain your situation to the presiding judge to see if you can be excused or deferred. Now you can take care of this in the comfort of your own home.

This "e-jury excuse" is a new feature and I have run several tests to assure that it is working properly. Despite that, problems do sometime arise and if you encounter any, please email me at sbryant@judgebryant.com .

It is important to follow the rules I have established in order to assure that your request to be excused or deferred is properly considered. Vary from these rules at your own risk.

1. Please fill in all of the boxes below. It is essential that I know the following:

3. In the larger box you will need to enter a succinct statement about why you cannot serve or why you need your jury service deferred. If you have a medical excuse, you will need to call your doctor and have his/her office fax the excuse to 828.488.6554. Any excuses based upon age will be checked out against your birth date listed in the information the Clerk of Court provides me.

4. I will reply to your request within 48 hours of receiving it. If you wish to avail yourself of this "e-excuse" feature, you will need to do so no later than 48 hours prior to the time you have been directed to report for your excuse date in court. If you do not receive a response with in 48 hours of sending the form, please let me know by emailing me at sbryant@judgebryant.com .

5. Any online decisions concerning your request to be deferred or excused are final. I cannot engage in an online debate about my decision. If you feel that your request would be better presented in person, then you should opt to appear in court on the date assigned rather than using this electronic method..

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Haywood County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

I would like to thank June Ray, Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court, and her staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Haywood County Justice Center located at 285 North Main Street in Waynesville. All jurors should park in the parking garage located on Branner Avenue. Do not park on Main or Depot Streets. Parking tickets are issued by the Town of Waynesville on those streets. In severe weather conditions, please call 454.6505. There is a jury assembly room in the new court facility. This is where you will go upon arrival.

Usually, an Assistant Clerk will appear in order to call the names of the prospective jurors to make sure all are present. You will likely be asked if any circumstances have arisen that preclude your jury service that term. If you have had an emergency arise or some other event that prevents you from serving during that term, you will generally be given an opportunity to discuss that with the presiding judge.

You will be given a crash course in your role as juror in the court system. The Administrative Office of the Courts has provided the counties with a 15 minute tape narrated by Charles Kuralt. This tape briefly explains the court system and how you, as jurors, fit into the picture. Most consider the tape informative.

After the roll is called, video viewed and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

Most terms of court do not exceed the week they are scheduled for. If you are concerned about the prospect of a term exceeding a week in duration, the Assistant Clerk may be able to advise you if there is a case on the docket expected to exceed the timeframe.

Estimating case length is, at best, an inexact science. The lawyers involved in the case will give the presiding judge their best estimate of the duration of the case. Variations from the estimated time are not unusual. You will be given a telephone number that you can call at the end of each day to find out whether you will be needed in court the following day. That number is 452.1833 (after 5:30 p.m.)

Persons 72 years of age or older are entitled to establish, in writing, exemption from jury service for good cause. The jury summons contains a statement for claiming such exemption and stating the cause and a place for the prospective juror's signature. The summons also states the return mailing address and the date by which such request for exemption must be received.

In the letter you received concerning your jury service, you were advised that a date had been set to hear jury excuses prior to the beginning of the term. If your reason for being unable to serve is medical in nature, it is helpful to bring along some documentation from your physician.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Jackson County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

I would like to thank Ann Melton, Jackson County Clerk of Superior Court, and her staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Jackson County Justice and Administration Center located on at 401 Grindstaff Cove Road in Sylva. The driveway to the Center is directly across from the Jackson Plaza entry. Parking is available around the entire perimeter of the building. You will see the front entrance of the building to your left as you reach the top of the driveway.

The courtrooms are located on the second floor of the building. You are asked to go, not to the courtroom, but to room 215, which is the jury assembly room. From the jury assembly room, you will be led to the courtroom by court personnel at the appropriate time. The Jackson County Justice & Administration Center can seem somewhat “mazelike” if it’s your first time there. Don’t hesitate to ask directions if you have difficulty locating room 215

Usually, the Clerk of Superior Court or an Assistant Clerk will appear to call the names of the prospective jurors to make sure all are present. You will likely be asked if any circumstances have arisen that preclude your jury service for that term. If you have had an emergency arise or some other event that prevents you from serving during that term, you will generally be given an opportunity to discuss that with the presiding judge.

You will be given a crash course in your role as juror in the court system. The Administrative Office of the Courts has provided the counties with a 15-minute tape narrated by Charles Kuralt. This tape briefly explains the court system and how you, as jurors, fit into the picture. Most consider the tape informative.

After the roll is called, video viewed and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

In severe weather conditions, please call 586-7518 for further information and instruction.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Macon County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

I would like to thank Vic Perry, Macon County Clerk of Superior Court, and her staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

North Carolina Law provides that jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. To serve as a juror, you must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Macon County, able to hear and understand the English language, be physically and mentally competent, not have served as a juror in the past two years, and not have been convicted of a felony unless your citizenship rights have been restored.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Macon County Courthouse located on Main Street in Franklin. There is parking on-site at the Courthouse in a parking area located behind the building. There is also parking available on Main Street.

The courtroom used for jury trials is Courtroom A, located on the fourth floor of the courthouse. There is an elevator available to take you to the fourth floor. Each of the entrances to the building has a ramp to allow access to the building without navigating a stairway. When you exit the elevator on the fourth floor you will see a hallway to your right. Turn left into that hallway and follow it until it intersects with another hallway to the right. At the end of this second hallway, you will find the doorway leading into Courtroom A.

Upon entering the courtroom, you will see that the room is divided into two sections. Jurors are normally seated in the left-hand section of the courtroom (as you face the judge's bench). Have a seat in this left-hand section and a member of the Clerk of Court's office will soon be there to assist you.

Usually, the Clerk of Court or an Assistant Clerk will appear to call the names of the prospective jurors to make sure all are present. You will likely be asked if any circumstances have arisen that preclude your jury service that term. If you have had an emergency arise or some other event that prevents you from serving during that term, you will generally be given an opportunity to discuss that with the presiding judge.

After the roll is called and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Swain County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

I would like to thank Hester Sitton, Swain County Clerk of Superior Court, and her staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

North Carolina Law provides that jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. To serve as a juror, you must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Swain County, able to hear and understand the English language, be physically and mentally competent, not have served as a juror in the past two years, and not have been convicted of a felony unless your citizenship rights have been restored.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Swain County Administration Building located at 101 Mitchell Street in Bryson City. There is parking on-site at the Administration Building. You may find that some of the spaces on the left side of the building (as you face the front entrance) are reserved for court personnel and law enforcement. The rest of the parking spaces, unless otherwise marked, should be available for parking. Parking in the lot across from the Administration Building is not permitted.

The courtroom used for jury trials is the Superior Courtroom. After you pass through the front entrance, the Superior Courtroom is the first door on your left. The entryway to the courtroom is equipped with a walk-through metal detector and package scanner for security reasons. If you have difficulty navigating the stairway that leads to the front entrance, there is a ramp located on the far-right side of the building (as you face the front entrance). There is only one story to the Administration Building, so once you gain access to the main floor there are no other stairs to climb.

Upon entering the courtroom, you will see that the room is divided into three sections. Jurors are normally seated in the center section of the courtroom. Have a seat in this center section and a member of the Clerk of Court's office will soon be there to assist you.

After the roll is called, video viewed and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Graham County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

I would like to thank Johnnie Brooms, Graham County Clerk of Superior Court, and her staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

North Carolina Law provides that jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. To serve as a juror, you must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Graham County, able to hear and understand the English language, be physically and mentally competent, not have served as a juror in the past two years, and not have been convicted of a felony unless your citizenship rights have been restored.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Graham County Courthouse located at 12 North Main Street in Robbinsville. There is a limited number of parking spaces around the courthouse. Some of these spaces are reserved for court personnel. There is also parking on the street and in a parking area below Lynn's Restaurant.

There is a stairway that leads from the main entrance of the courthouse to the level where courtroom is located. If you have difficulty navigating the stairway that leads to the front entrance and the courtroom level, there are entrances on both the left and right side of the courthouse (as you face the main entrance). These entrances do not involve stairways and will allow you to access an elevator that will take you to the main (courtroom) level of the courthouse.

Upon entering the courtroom, you will see that the room is divided into two sections. Jurors are normally seated in the right-hand section of the courtroom. Please have a seat in this right-hand section and a member of the Clerk of Court's office will soon be there to assist you.

After the roll is called, video viewed and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

In the notice you received concerning your jury service, you were advised that a date had been set to hear jury excuses prior to the beginning of the term. If your reason for being unable to serve is medical in nature, it is helpful to bring along some documentation from your physician.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Clay County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

I would like to thank Harold McClure, Clay County Clerk of Superior Court, and his staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

North Carolina Law provides jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. To serve as a juror, you must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Clay County, able to hear and understand the English language, be physically and mentally competent, not have served as a juror in the past two years, and not have been convicted of a felony unless your citizenship rights have been restored.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Clay County Courthouse located in the town square (25 Herbert St.) in Hayesville. There is parking on the streets located around the courthouse.

The courtroom is located on the second floor of the courthouse. As you enter the front of the building, you will see, to your immediate left and right, stairways that lead up to the second floor. Unfortunately, currently there is no other access to the second floor other than the stairs. If you have difficulty navigating the stairs to the second floor, you should report this to the Clerk of Court, whose office is located on the first floor.

Upon entering the courtroom, you will see that the room is divided into two sections. Jurors are normally seated in the right-hand section of the courtroom (as you face the judge's bench). Have a seat in this right-hand section and a member of the Clerk of Court's office will soon be there to assist you.

Usually, the Clerk of Court or an Assistant Clerk will appear in order to call the names of the prospective jurors to make sure all are present. You will likely be asked if any circumstances have arisen that preclude your jury service that term. If you have had an emergency arise or some other event that prevents you from serving during that term, you will generally be given an opportunity to discuss that with the presiding judge.

After the roll is called, video viewed and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

If you have been selected to serve as a juror in Cherokee County, you may have some questions about court and what is expected of you. This page will attempt to answer some of your questions and to provide you with some information that may make your experience as a juror a little easier and more enjoyable.

North Carolina Law provides jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. To serve as a juror, you must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Cherokee County, able to hear and understand the English language, be physically and mentally competent, not have served as a juror in the past two years, and not have been convicted of a felony unless your citizenship rights have been restored.

I would like to thank Gerald Breedlove, Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court, and his staff for their assistance in gathering some of the information below.

Each judge is in control of the routine of his or her courtroom. The information provided below is general in nature. There may be some changes when you actually serve.

The place you will serve as a juror is the Cherokee County Courthouse, located on at the corner of Peachtree and Central Streets (75 Peachtree St.) in Murphy. There is parking along Peachtree Street. There is also a small parking lot behind the courthouse and a parking lot on Central Street, across from the Sheriff’s Department.

The courtroom is located on the second floor. After you pass through the front entrance, you will see a stairway directly across from where you entered. Take this stairway to the second floor. At the top of the stairway, make a right turn down a hallway to the courtroom. If you have difficulty navigating the stairway that leads to the front entrance, there is a ramp located at the back entrance of the Courthouse. After entering the back of the building, you will see a lift to access the first and second floors of the courthouse. There is a phone at the site of the lift. Simply lift the phone and it will automatically dial for assistance.

Upon entering the courtroom, you will see that the room is divided into two sections. Jurors are normally seated in the right-hand (as you face the judge’s bench) section of the courtroom. Have a seat in this right-hand section and a member of the Clerk of Court's office will soon be there to assist you.

Usually, the Clerk of Superior Court or an Assistant Clerk will appear to call the names of the prospective jurors to make sure all are present. You will likely be asked if any circumstances have arisen that preclude your jury service that term. If you have had an emergency arise or some other event that prevents you from serving during that term, you will generally be given an opportunity to discuss that with the presiding judge.

After the roll is called, video viewed and excuses determined by the presiding judge, you will be sworn to serve as jurors for that particular term.

During the term, court generally starts at 9:30 in the morning. The court day will usually end at 5:00 p.m. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as a lunch break.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has also provided some information for jurors. To access that information and the AOC web site, click on the button below.

Cherokee County
Clay County
Graham County
Haywood County
Jackson County
Macon County
Swain County