You may be called to serve if you are at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of Lehigh County.

Lehigh County uses a list of licensed drivers that is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The names are randomly selected from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation list by computer.

An orientation will be provided by the Court Administrator's office advising you of the jury selection procedure. During the jury selection you will be told about the length of the trial. Any conflicts that you may have will be addressed during the jury selection.

Lehigh County follows a "one day, one trial" procedure. If you are not chosen to serve on a jury on the day you report, you will not have to return a second day. You may, however, be required to report for a second day, even if you are not serving on a trial. This does not occur often. If the jury selection is lengthy due to the nature of the case, or if unforeseen circumstances arise, the court may require jurors to return a second day. If you are selected as a juror, you will serve until the trial is concluded. Typical cases are two or three days including the jury selection day. The trial will begin immediately after the jury selection.

The normal working hours for the court are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm If you are seated on a trial you may serve later than 4:30 pm - Breaks and a minimum of an hour for lunch is provided. Does my employer have to pay me while I am serving? Pennsylvania law does not require an employer to compensate an employee for jury service. Check with your employer for their policy.

Pennsylvania law provides that you are entitled to receive per diem compensation even if you are not selected to serve on a jury. You will receive $9.00 for each day of service for the first three days, and $25.00 for each day thereafter, plus mileage for each day of service. The mileage is based on the zip code of your home address. Checks will be sent within 3 weeks.

The law provides that such conduct is contempt of court punishable by fine and or imprisonment.

Pennsylvania law does not exclude persons due to their age. However Lehigh County is liberal with excusing senior citizens upon request.

Lehigh County has a liberal postponement policy. Postponements will be granted upon written requests returned with the original questionnaire. Last minute emergency postponements will also be considered. The court prefers to grant only one postponement.

You will receive a letter stating your reporting status within 7-10 days.

The needs of the court may vary. Jurors are only called if a judge requests a jury to be available. Many times jurors are not needed at all. If your panel is not called, your service is complete.

If the date indicated is a Sunday, you may call anytime after 5:30 pm on the Friday evening prior to that date. The tape recorded message is available the entire weekend.

Free parking is located at the 600 Linden Street garage located between North 6th and North 7th Street. You will enter the garage from the left side of Linden Street. There will be a sign for juror parking. Linden Street is one block north of Hamilton Street. Please note that the Allentown Transportation Center with an entrance from North 6th Street is an automated garage and jurors should not park in this garage. Parking in any facility other than the 600 Linden Garage will result in a charge that is not reimbursable. Persons with a qualified disability or a vehicle that is over 6'10" should call (610)782-3014 for parking instructions.

Call the Court Administrator's office - (610) 782-3014 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm

Proper attire is required. You should dress the way you would for a job interview. Blue jeans, shorts and tee shirts are not suitable.

If inclement weather is predicted, when you call the evening before your reporting day, the recording will instruct you to call back after 6:30 am If the court cancels or delays the reporting time for that day, the recorded message will indicate the updated status. If the message has not changed, then your status remains the same.

24 Hour Juror Information Line: (610) 782-3950
This tape recorded message answers many of the commonly asked questions.

24 Hour Juror Reporting Status: (610) 782-3433
This tape recorded message indicates which panels are required to report the following morning or the next day that court is in session.

District Court Administrator: (610) 782-3014
Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Mon.- Fri.