Jury Duty

According to the Office of Jury Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Every U.S. Citizen 17years of age or older who is a Massachusetts resident or an inhabitant for more than 50% of the time is eligible to serve as a juror.  If you are a resident of another state but a student at a Massachusetts college, you are an inhabitant for more that 50% of the year and, therefore, eligible to serve as juror in Massachusetts.”

It is not unusual for students residing in Hampshire County to be summoned to serve as trial jurors.  Jury service, on a short-term basis, can provide students with a good opportunity to fulfill one of their important responsibilities as members of the community.  Mount Holyoke College supports students in the fulfillment of this civic duty.

Students should carefully read all materials they receive with their summons to service, which contain helpful information about confirming, postponing, rescheduling, or relocating service, and address many of the most frequently asked questions.  Jury duty is an important legal obligation, and those who fail to respond are subject to criminal prosecution.

Students who must miss class in order to fulfill the jury service requirement should notify each of their instructors of the summons and make arrangements to complete any missed work.  Staff at the Academic Dean Office may be able to assist you in making arrangements for missed class time due to jury service.  Student may be required to furnish their summons notice or the certificate of service when making these arrangements.

If you have any questions about jury duty, including confirming, postponing, rescheduling, or limiting your service, please contact the Office of Jury Commissioner (1-800-THE JURY / 1-800-843-5879).  Further information can be found of the Office of Jury Commissioner’s website at  http://www.massjury.com