McDowell County Jury Service

Find information about jury service in this county.

Length of Service

Jury service in this county operates on the one-day / one-trial system. A new group of jurors are summoned each day of the week, and if selected to serve on a jury, a juror will serve for that day or for the length of a trial. However, if a person is not selected for a trial, their jury service will be complete after that one day. Jurors selected for a trial that takes several days will need to be present each day during the trial.

Hours of Service

The typical juror's day will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasionally, other hours are required by the court during trial, but this is rare. If selected to serve as a juror, follow the instructions of the presiding judge.

When and Where to Report

The night before their jury service date, jurors should call the information line at 828-803-9832 and a pre-recorded message will instruct jurors as to whether they need to report at all or at a specific time.

If scheduled to report, all jurors report to Courtroom 2 on the main floor of the McDowell County Courthouse.

Request for Jury Service Excuse or Deferral

General Information

Deferral/Excusal: To request an excuse or postponement from jury service, please submit the information via Electronic Form located below OR mail. Your request must be received no later than seven (7) days prior to your service date. A decision regarding your request will be returned via mail or email. Requests sent by MAIL must include the completed bottom portion of summons and supporting documentation (instructions are included on the summons document). Mail requests can be submitted to:

Clerk of Superior Court
ATTN: Jury Coordinator
21 S. Main St.
Marion, NC 28752

The ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM (see below) may be completed in lieu of the mail option. The electronic request must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your appearance date. (Requirements and instructions are listed below.)

Reasons for Excusal, Postponement or Deferment

Jury service is the solemn obligation of all qualified citizens. Excuses from the discharge of this responsibility may be granted only for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Persons qualified to serve must:

  • Reside in McDowell County
  • Be at least 18 years of age or older
  • Understand the English language
  • Have not served as a juror during the preceding two (2) years or as a grand juror in the past six (6) years
  • Be physically and mentally competent

Exemptions, Excuses and Postponements may be granted for the following reasons:

  • People 72 years of age or older
  • NOT a McDowell County, North Carolina Resident
  • Person is deceased
  • Students enrolled full time in a learning institution
  • Health/Medical reasons
  • Convicted of a felony and voting rights have NOT been restored
  • Not a United States Citizen
  • On assignment with the military

Excuses will be granted ONLY for reasons of compelling personal hardship. Requests for excuses and postponements for jury duty must be made by electronically using the requested online form, or by mail. Your request CANNOT be handled by telephone. All requests must be submitted a minimum of seven (7) days prior to your jury service date.

Until you have received a response from the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office, you are still required to appear at the county courthouse for jury duty on the specified summons date if your juror number is called. If you DO NOT receive a response to an excusal request, you are still required to appear for jury service if your juror number is called.

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Learn more about Jury Service