Not a scam: Postcards from Ohio federal court are for jury duty

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio wants people to know that if they receive an official-looking postcard in the coming weeks, it is not a scam; instead, they have been randomly selected as potential jurors in federal court.

According to court officials, postcard recipients are legally required to respond. The court’s website provides more details on the federal jury selection process referred to in the mailing.

Recipients must complete a questionnaire within ten days of receiving the card, either online via the court’s eJuror website or by calling 833-396-3498 to request a paper form. Failing to respond could lead to contempt penalties, including a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to three days, community service, or a combination of consequences. Officials emphasize that the court will never request payment or personal banking information.

For people who are unable to fill out the form within the time frame, another person can respond with an explanation in the remarks section. A verification will be received after the information is successfully submitted.

Resident’s names are pulled from the Ohio Secretary of State’s voter rolls and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles records. Those who qualify will not automatically be summoned for jury duty, but may receive a formal “Summons for Jury Service” in the mail at any time within the next two years. The court does not provide advance notice of when or if a person will be called to serve.

Only three reasons exist to be automatically excused from service: those summoned must be over 70 years old, no longer live in the counties the Southern District of Ohio serves, or have a doctor’s note.

If chosen, jurors could serve on both civil and criminal cases. The court notes on its website that typical criminal charges in a federal court involve narcotics laws, income tax, mail theft, counterfeiting and crimes committed on federal property. 

Jurors are safeguarded from losing their jobs while serving. Federal law also protects jurors from employer retaliation, which allows for damages, reinstatement and civil penalties. However, employers are not required to pay employees while on jury duty.

Qualified jurors receive $50 per day in attendance pay, with the rate increasing to $60 after ten days of petit service or 45 days of grand jury service. Petit jurors are summoned for one month, and grand jurors serve for approximately 12 to 18 months. Mileage reimbursement is also provided. Individuals traveling more than 75 miles may be eligible for lodging and per diem. Checks are mailed after service.