BERGEN COUNTY JURORS
IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING POTENTIAL JUROR SCAMS:
The New Jersey Judiciary does not and has never asked for juror’s banking information or social security numbers over the phone, by email, or in person. Court officials will never ask for payment to avoid arrest for failure to report for jury duty. Anyone who has concerns about being approached inappropriately concerning jury duty should contact the county jury manager as well as local law enforcement.
Dear Juror: Please read the entire message carefully.
Jury Management office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
In the event of court closings, all jurors should call (201) 221-0700 or visit our website at www.njcourts.gov
Answers to frequently asked questions about jury service can be found at https://www.njcourts.gov/jurors/faq
Petit Jurors:
If you have completed the juror qualification questionnaire and watched the online orientation, specific reporting instructions will be emailed to you the Friday prior to your service date, or at the very latest, the evening before your summons date. The email will tell you if you are required to report in-person to undergo jury selection; or if your services as a juror are not needed. The email will also include information about the time to report, the free parking garage location, the room in the courthouse to report, lunch time information, the ability to bring laptops or reading materials, and much more. Please read the email thoroughly. If you did not receive reporting instructions check your spam or junk folder in the event it was diverted there. It is also important to note, that the Bergen County Courthouse does not conduct virtual jury selection for petit jurors.
All jurors summoned to report must watch the ON DEMAND video prior to their reporting date as indicated on the summons.
Jurors who did not answer the juror qualification questionnaire online or via regular mail will not receive any reporting information. The juror qualification questionnaire needs to be completed at least four (4) days prior to jury service summons date. If you failed to respond to the jury duty summons, you must contact the Jury Management office for assistance. You will be required to mail-in the paper questionnaire and your jury service will be deferred to a new date. Additionally, you will not be able to complete the juror questionnaire electronically on the web portal if it is late. The system will lock you out. Please contact the Jury Management Office via email at berjury.mailbox@njcourts.gov if you lost or misplaced the mail-in juror questionnaire, and one will be sent to you for completion.
Please note that jury service is an important civic mandatory duty of all citizens that are deemed qualified to serve. Grounds for excusals, disqualifications and deferrals of the service date will be processed according to the applicable State statutes and court rules. Please make every effort to respond to the jury summons to avoid getting a failure to appear/respond marking on your juror record.
County Grand Jurors who were currently serving on a panel: Please refer to the reporting service dates provided to you on selection day.
State Grand Jurors: Please check the Juror Reporting State Grand Jury message for updates.
Parking Garage: The juror parking garage is located next to the courthouse at 55 Court Street, Hackensack, NJ. Do not park at any of the reserved spots marked with a metal placard. Bring your parking ticket with you to be validated in the jury assembly room.
The Jury Assembly Room is located in Room 210 on the 2nd floor. There are two entryways to the courthouse. You may enter via the Court Street entrance which is close to the juror parking garage; or enter via the Hudson Street entrance which will require you to walk around the building to the front of the courthouse. The courthouse will be open to the public at 8:00 a.m. Please note that you will be screened at the metal detectors.
If you have any questions or covid related concerns, feel free to call or email the office immediately. Call the Jury Management Office (201) 221-0700 Ext. 25090 or email at berjury.mailbox@njcourts.gov.
Fax Number: (201) 221-0644
Note: When completing the juror questionnaire online, please be aware that you are able to self-defer your service one time, for up to 12 weeks from the summons date. If you are seeking a deferral longer than 12 weeks, you will be required to provide supporting documentation to the Jury Management Office. You may email berjury.mailbox@njcourts.gov or call (201) 221-0700 EXT. 25090.
Message from Assignment Judge Carol V. Novey Catuogno
On behalf of the Bergen County Superior Court, I would like to welcome you. Everyone connected with the court system recognizes that when we ask our citizens to report for jury service it represents a personal inconvenience to each and every one of you. However, jury service is an important duty of citizenship and fundamental to our entire system of justice. The Courts cannot function without members of the public offering their time to serve as jurors. We value your service as a juror and know that you will find your experience with the courts to be rewarding. Thank you for serving.
Health and Safety
If you feel sick, do not report to the courthouse. Instead, contact your local jury management office to reschedule your service.
Voluntary Demographic Information
The juror questionnaire includes three voluntary demographic questions. This information helps the Judiciary understand the diversity and representativeness of jury pools. Your responses to these questions are optional and will not affect your selection.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy
Advise the Jury Management Office if you require an accommodation in order to serve. You can reach the Jury Management Office by phone at or by email at .
Juror Parking Directions
Public Garage Hours:
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Monday thru Friday
Parking Fees Established By The County Of Bergen:
Jurors: FREE
All others: Parking fee rates are posted at the entrance of the garage.
Access To The Bergen County Justice Center:
Jurors And Members Of The Public: Access to the courthouse is permitted from both the Hudson and Court Street entrances after 8 a.m.
Attorneys: Access available through public entrances. Attorneys must show a valid Bergen County identification card. To obtain an attorney ID card, contact the Sheriff's Dept. at 201-336-3565.
Employees: Judiciary employees should continue to use the employee entrance located on Hudson Street starting at 7 a.m. Employee ID is required for entry.
Public Parking Bergen County Justice Center
55 Court Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Please remember to bring your juror badge or paperwork, as well as your parking ticket to be validated.
Dress Code
Jurors reporting for service should wear clothing appropriate for an appearance in court. Shorts, t-shirts, uniforms or clothing containing statements or offensive symbols are not permitted. All hats must be removed when in a courtroom. Comfortable clothing is also advisable.
Courtroom Regulations
- Cell phones, pagers and electronic devices must be turned off in the courtroom.
- You are not permitted to read newspapers or other materials in the courtroom.
- You are not permitted to bring food or beverages into the courtroom.
If You Are Selected As A Juror
- The trial judge will instruct you regarding the trial schedule, reporting times, any recesses, lunch arrangements, etc.
- The judge's instructions will take precedence over any general instructions given in the assembly area.
- You must wear your juror badge at all times, including during lunch.
Other Factors Relating To Your Juror Service
- The daily fee for petit jurors is $5 for the first 3 days and $40 for each day after 3 days.
- The daily fee for grand jurors is $5 for each day of service.
- Checks are processed on Friday.
- Your juror check will generally be received within 3 weeks.
- Check with your employer or your union representative, or read your employee handbook if you have questions about whether you will be compensated by your employer while serving as a juror.
Employment Protection
Be aware that N.J.S.A. 2B:20-17 protects jurors from employment related retaliation and provides for the possibility of both criminal and civil sanctions.
Terms of Service
Petit jurors are on call for one day. You must call or check the website after 5:00 p.m. the evening prior to your service to see if you must report. If you are selected, you must remain for the duration of the jury selection process and the trial. Once your service is completed, you will not be eligible to be selected again for three years.
Smoking Policy
The courthouse is a non-smoking facility. If you leave the courthouse to smoke, you must inform jury staff so that we are aware of your location at all times.
Failure to Report
Individuals who fail to respond to a jury summons or fail to report when summoned may be subject to penalties including fines. If you have forgotten to appear as scheduled for jury service, please contact the Jury Management Office immediately at .