Jury Commission

Jurors who fail to appear without lawfully being excused could be subjected to penalties by law.

Jurors are selected from the list of registered voters in Franklin County and the drawing is performed according to statutory guidelines to ensure a random selection of a fair representation of the community. Please complete the questionnaire prior to service. Jurors are required to be available to report for one week or the duration of one trial, during weekdays only. Jurors should report by 8:45 AM with a varying release time. A lunch break will be provided.

Jurors who are required to report will screen through Court Security upon entering the building and are expected to adhere to the Juror Code of Conduct(PDF, 498KB).

Excusals and deferrals must be requested at least two (2) business days before your service start date. Late requests may be denied.

Jurors receive parking vouchers for free or reduced parking at the approved locations below:

• Franklin County Commissioner's Garage (FCC) - 34 East Fulton St.
• Columbus Commons Parking Garage - 55 East Rich St.

Jurors who use COTA will receive free daily passes.

ODOT is conducting a major construction project that directly impacts visitors to the Municipal Court, particularly those parking in the garages.

The Court observes the following holidays and will be closed:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Indigenous People's Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

2026 Holiday Schedule with Early Closures(PDF, 121KB)

• Full-size refrigerator and microwave
• Full service cafeteria located in 373 South High Street on the 16th floor (connected to the Municipal Court building)
• Vending machines
• Wi-Fi access
• Computer lounge
• Fax machine and copier
• Private restrooms
• Free COTA transportation day passes
• Many restaurants within walking distance of the Municipal Court

Available upon request:

• Personal Audio Amplification System
• Interpreters
• Private lactation room

Please contact the Jury Commission at (614) 645-7726 or through the Jury Portal in advance of your service start date to request a special accommodation.

The Franklin County Municipal Court has become aware of telephone scams by identity thieves targeting members of the public and fake jury summonses. Jury employees never contact potential jurors by telephone and would never, under any circumstances request any personal or financial information over the telephone. We urge all members of the public to be aware of such scams and be careful not to reveal any confidential information. If you feel that your summons is a scam, please contact the Jury Commission at (614) 645-7726.

The Franklin County Municipal Court has jurisdiction over criminal and traffic misdemeanor cases. The Court also hears civil actions involving less than $15,000. Many cases that are taken to jury trial involve a victim.

To be eligible to serve on jury duty, a person must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the county in which they are called to serve. Jurors must also be able to communicate in the English language or request an interpreter.

Jurors are selected from the list of registered voters in Franklin County and the drawing is performed according to statutory guidelines to assure a random selection of a fair representation of the community. Jurors need to be able to listen carefully, follow instructions, keep an open mind, be willing to make a decision free from personal feelings or biases, respect the opinion of each juror, and value the different viewpoints each juror can bring to the case. Jurors will be responsible for impartially evaluating all the facts that are presented during the trial and, as the Judge instructs, apply the law as it is written to the facts of the case.

Approximately 30% of all jurors are randomly selected from the jury pool and impaneled on a case. For each trial ten (10) jurors are impaneled for criminal cases and eight (8) for civil cases. Jurors who are not impaneled will be entered back into the jury pool.

• Go to the Jury Portal and fill out the juror questionnaire.
• Report to the 9th Floor of 375 S High Street by 8:45 AM on the Monday assigned. Park in the provided parking garages to receive a voucher. Check in at the front desk upon arrival. Bring lunch, snacks, books, smart devices, laptops, etc. for waiting periods.

For each report day, jurors receive $25 and a parking voucher for designated parking areas. After the completion of jury service, a check will be issued and mailed to the juror's provided residential address within the next month.

The Court receives approximately 18,000 jury demands each year, resulting in 80-120 potential jury trials per day. However, the majority of those cases will be resolved through other means. There are currently fifteen (15) judges and (6) magistrates on the bench. Any case set for trial could result in the need for a jury.

For a detailed list of service dates and times, request an attendance sheet from the Jury Commissioners on the last day of service or by email at jury@franklincountymunicourt.org.