Your name was obtained from the voter registration list for Seneca County according to Ohio Law which requires a random selection of residents from a fair cross-section of the community.

You will be called to be a juror on an “as needed basis.”  You will receive a post card with a date and time to appear approximately one week prior to the date of jury service.  Included on that card is a telephone number to call the night before the trial date to see if you will actually need to appear.  Most jury trials last two days.  However, a trial could last longer.  The Judge will adjourn the jury each evening and will instruct you as to what time to return the following morning.

Trials normally start at 9:00 a.m. with the jury expected to be here by 8:45 a.m. Since the doors of the Seneca County Justice Center do not open until 8:30 a.m., we ask that you do not arrive before then. The Judge will dismiss you in the afternoon, usually between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.  However, if the jury is in deliberation, the Court may require you to stay until a verdict is reached.

A $10.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you report for jury duty, whether or not you are selected to serve as a juror.  Should you be selected to serve as a juror, you will be paid $20.00 per day.  Juror fees are set by the Seneca County Commissioners.

Upon request, you will be provided with a work slip showing the dates you served and the attendance fees paid to you. This may be obtained at the Clerk of Court’s office for Judge Kelbley's court and Judge Shuff's office for Judge Shuff's court.

Your employment is protected by law while you are serving as a juror. If you should have a problem with your employer in connection with your jury service, please contact the Court immediately.

It is critical that you report on time.  Court cannot start until all jurors are present.  The right to trial by jury is one of the cornerstones of the American legal procedure, and it allows citizens to take an active part in the judicial system.  Jury service is not voluntary, but a civic duty imposed upon all citizens by statute.  If the summons is not honored, you can be ordered to show cause why you should not be held in contempt of Court.

In most cases, you will be required to be present no later than 8:45 a.m.

Upon entering the Justice Center you will pass through a metal detector. Any bags/purses will pass through an x-ray machine. Please leave all pocket-knives, box cutters, tools, etc. at home, as you will not be able to enter the Justice Center or leave any of those items with security.

If you are summoned for Judge Kelbley’s Court:

• You will report to the Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the Seneca County Justice Center. If you are selected as a Juror, you will report directly to Judge Kelbley’s jury room on the following days.

If you are summoned for Judge Shuff’s Court:

• You will report to Judge Shuff’s courtroom located on the third floor of the Seneca County Justice Center. If you are selected as a Juror, you will report directly to Judge Shuff’s jury room on the following days.

It is important that you are comfortable during your jury service, however, we request that you dress appropriately. You should wear comfortable clothing that enhances the dignity of the Court and emphasizes the seriousness of your responsibility. Shorts of any kind, hats, tank tops, T-shirts, sweat suits, torn or soiled jeans, or other such informal attire is not considered appropriate clothing for the courtroom.

You will report for Jury Duty at the Seneca County Justice Center, 103 E. Market Street, Tiffin, Ohio.

THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 8:30 A.M. THEREFORE, WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT ARRIVE PRIOR TO THAT TIME.

There is an elevator to all floors and the building is handicap accessible.

There is access to a county parking lot off of South Washington Street next to the RTA Building.  Park only in spots painted yellow.  DO NOT park in spots painted green.  There is also a city parking lot on South Washington Street, across the street from the Seneca County Justice Center, where there are limited spots around the perimeter of the lot.

Click here for Downtown Parking map.

To maintain proper security, all persons entering the Seneca County Justice Center will be subject to search and screening. You will pass through a metal detector upon entering the building. Any bags/purses will pass through an x-ray machine. Please leave all pocket knives, box cutters, tools, etc. at home, as you will not be able to enter the Justice Center or leave any of those items with security.