Jury Duty

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The keystone of the justice system in the United States is the right to a trial by jury. This right is guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Georgia Constitution. The right to a jury trial has a long history. It was part of the civil liberties granted by King John of England on June 15, 1215, and was recorded in the document known as Magna Carta. Trial by one’s peers was designed to prevent too much power being in the hands of the king.

Jury service is widely recognized as an essential pillar of our justice system and those who serve their civic duty are highly regarded and appreciated by the court. It provides an opportunity to learn about our justice system.

Jury Duty in Cherokee County is typically for one week. While jury service may require some adjustments to your normal schedule and routine, we will make every effort to minimize your inconvenience. We will do our very best to ensure you have a pleasant experience while you are performing this invaluable service. Thank you for serving.

Qualifications for Jury Service

You do not need any special skills or legal knowledge to be a juror. All you need is an open mind and a readiness to work with the other jurors to make decisions. You also need to be impartial — in other words, your decisions must not be influenced by personal feelings and biases.

Georgia law says you are qualified to be a juror if you:

Are a U.S. citizen
Are at least 18 years old
Can understand English enough to understand and discuss the case
Are a resident of Cherokee County
Have not served on a jury in the last 12 months
Are not currently on a grand jury or on another trial jury
Are not under a conservatorship
Have had your civil rights restored if you were convicted of a felony or malfeasance while holding public office

No one is exempt because of his or her job, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic status.

One Time Deferment

You may be able to get a one time deferment or exemption for the following reasons:

Age 70 and over
Full-time Student
Home School Teacher
Medical (temporary or permanent)
Military or military spouse
Non-citizen
Non-English Speaking
Non-Resident
Primary Caregiver
Sole Caregiver

If you are requesting a one-time deferral or an excuse that is provided under Georgia Law, the one-time deferral or excuse affidavit must be received no less than seven (7) business days prior to your reporting date and time. Affidavits can be found on our clerk's website, cherokeecourtclerk.com/jury-duty. Affidavits must be completed in its entirety and must be notarized if applicable (the Jury Department offers this service free of charge to jurors).You may submit the affidavit via email, mail, or fax.

Grand Jury

A Grand Jury is a very important component of the Superior Court system. It has long been considered one of the highest duties of citizenship and an unique opportunity for the individual citizen to participate in the administration of justice.

The Grand Jury consist of 27-30 people. A person is qualified by law to be a Grand Juror if the person has 18 years of age, sane, resident of Cherokee County for at six months, and experienced, upright and intelligent person.

The Grand Jury selection will take place on the reporting date. If you are selected to serve as a Grand Juror, your service will begin that day.

Term of Service

Grand Jurors serve for a three-month term. If you are selected to serve on the Grand Jury, Grand Jury will meet on average one to two days per month.

The Grand Jury Handbook, which was prepared by the staff of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, provides information to help citizens fulfill their duties as Grand Jurors. The handbook summarizes both Grand Jury history and its law and procedures. In addition, the handbook provides an overview of the duties, functions, and limitations of the Grand Jury. Individuals serving on the Grand Jury will be provided further explanation of their responsibilities.

If you are selected to serve on the Grand Jury, we hope you find the opportunity to participate in the enforcement of the law a rich and rewarding experience.

JURY SCAM ALERT: BE AWARE

Residents of Cherokee County have reported receiving fraudulent phone calls claiming that the victim failed to appear for jury duty in Superior or State Court of Cherokee County County. The scammer tells the victim that he or she can avoid arrest by making a payment, which may include purchasing a pre-paid card—such as a gift card—and then giving the card number to the scammer.

The court will always send a jury summons by U.S. Mail.
The court and law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone.
The court and law enforcement will never demand a gift card number to satisfy an obligation.
A prospective juror who disregards a jury summons will be contacted through the mail by the court and may, in certain circumstances, be ordered to appear before a judge. Such an order will always be in writing and signed by the judge.
A fine will never be imposed until after the individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain his or her failure to appear. If a fine is imposed, it will be in open court and reduced to writing (and will not be payable by gift card.)

If you have received a scam phone call or if you wish to verify whether you have been summoned for jury duty in Cherokee County, contact the jury office at 678-493-6565 or the Cherokee County Sheriff's at 678-493-4080.