Jury selection in the 25^th Judicial District Court is administered by the jury commission and the clerk of court at the direction of the Court. The five-member jury commission (the clerk of court as ex-officio and four court-appointed citizens), is responsible for selection of jury pools. The clerk of court prepares jury summonses, which are ordered by the Court based on projected trial activity and serve as a questionnaire and summons. Computer software randomly selects prospective jurors eligible for service.

The questionnaire portion requests basic information be returned within five days to verify or otherwise correct existing data and to confirm a prospective juror’s intent to serve. The form also provides recipients with the opportunity to claim an exemption allowed pursuant to Louisiana law: 1) 70 years of age and over, interdicted, 2) does not speak the English language, 3) not a U.S. citizen, 4) reported for jury service within the previous two years, 5) under age 18, 6) moved out of Plaquemines Parish, 7) has not lived in Plaquemines Parish for one year, 8) deceased, or 9) Within the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of jury service, I have been under indictment, incarcerated under an order of imprisonment, or on probation or parole for a felony offense. (Provide case number and a copy of indictment, conviction documents and/or probation/parole documents.). As well, prospective jurors may request an excusal based on a hardship. Those requests, which should be supported with documentation (ex. doctor's note, travel arrangements, etc.) are considered ONLY by the Court.

Receipt of a summons for jury duty is not a guarantee that one will need to appear. Often, cases are settled or continued in advance of a trial date. Because prospective jurors by law must be summoned no less than six weeks prior to a trial date, the need for a large pool diminishes as the service date approaches. No later than the day before your summons date, you should consult this web page, or the Court's automated phone system (504) 934-6725, to see if you still need to appear.