(BIVN) – This Friday, juror questionnaires will be mailed statewide to Hawaiʻi residents.
The Hawaiʻi Judiciary will mail approximately 333,400 questionnaires to randomly selected residents for potential jury service in 2027. Residents are selected from those with a Hawaiʻi state driver’s license or who are registered to vote in Hawaiʻi.
“Jury service is a cornerstone of our democracy, ensuring the right to a trial by jury is upheld in communities across Hawaiʻi,” the Judiciary wrote in a news release announcing the mailing. “Each year, thousands of residents contribute to this vital civic duty, and the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary deeply appreciates their service.”
To be eligible for jury service, residents must:
- Be at least 18 years old,
- Be a citizen of the United States,
- Be a resident of Hawaiʻi, and
- Be able to read and understand English.
Those who receive a questionnaire must complete and return it to the Jury Pool Office for their circuit within 10 days using the envelope provided. Individuals who fail to respond may be penalized, officials say.
The Judiciary shared this important reminders:
- A prospective juror who seeks to be excused due to a disability must submit a physician’s certificate describing how the disability affects their ability to serve.
- Citizens who have served as a paneled juror in state or federal court in Hawaiʻi within the past 12 months are eligible for a one-year exemption from service.
- Individuals convicted of a felony who have received or are eligible to receive a discharge are eligible to serve.
The announcement was also delivered with a “scam advisory”.
“The Judiciary does not call or email individuals about bench warrants or missed jury duty summonses,” the news release stated. “All official communication is conducted by U.S. mail, unless you have reached out to the Judiciary directly.”
If you receive a suspicious call, do not answer questions and do not divulge any personal information, the Judiciary warns.
“If you get an email that looks to be from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, but did not email us first, do not click on anything and do not reply. Delete it immediately,” the officials advised.
