FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I keep my name from being selected for jury duty?
A: The only way to be permanently removed is to remove your registration as a registered voter through the Clackamas County Elections office. This option would forfeit your voting rights. If you want to remove your registration as a voter, you must contact the Elections office at 503-655-8510.
Q: How does my name get selected?
A: Clackamas County Elections office generates a random list of residents for the court to use as the juror pool for the year. When Molalla Municipal Court sends you a questionnaire, you are put into a jury pool of 350 people. If your number is selected as a juror, the Molalla Municipal Court will provide 14 – 30 days prior notice of the date and time you will need to serve. You DO NOT need to call or check in. Jury trials in the Molalla Municipal Court are few and usually finished in one day.
Q: What if I do not live in Molalla anymore?
A: If you no longer reside in the City of Molalla, but reside in Clackamas County, a new voter registration form must be submitted to the county as soon as possible. If you no longer reside in either the county or the city limits, you must to contact the Elections Office in writing to let them know. The address is as follows:
Clackamas County Elections Office
1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 100
Oregon City, OR 97045
You will need to re-register in the county you now reside. Promptly return this questionnaire to the Molalla Municipal Court with a note stating “MOVED” at the top and provide the current address. We can verify the new information and remove you from the perspective juror list. Please know this alone will not exempt you from being selected in future jury pools unless your information is updated with the Elections office.
Q: What if I am unable to be a juror due to age, work, or medical reasons?
A: If you wish to be excused you will need to write a letter of explanation and return it with your COMPLETED questionnaire to the Molalla Municipal Court. If your excuse is due to a medical or work related reason, you will need to include proof (ie: Doctors Note or Note from Employer) with your letter and questionnaire. Please be aware this documentation IS NOT an automatic excusal. The presiding judge will review the information and make his ruling based on your correspondence. ALL RULINGS ARE FINAL. If you are, or will be, 70 years of age or older in the year of service, and wish to be excused, please indicate so on your questionnaire and return it for an excusal of jury duty from the judge. You will not automatically be excused based on age; excusal needs to be requested.
EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION
Q: Can I lose my job for reporting for jury service?
A: No. Under Oregon law, it is unlawful employment practice for your employer to discharge you because of jury service. An employer also may not threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce an employee because of jury service. An employee who is subjected to such actions may bring a civil action or may file a complaint with the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Q: Will my employer pay me while I am on jury service?
A: Your employer’s personnel policies, or specific employment agreement between you and your employer, will determine whether any compensation is payable to you during jury service. There is no statutory requirement that an employer pay salary or wages during an employee’s jury service.
Q: May my employer require me to use my vacation, sick leave, or annual leave for time I spent on jury service?
A: No. An employer may not require that an employee use vacation leave, sick leave or annual leave for time spent by the employee in responding to a summons for jury duty, and the employer must allow the employee to at least take leave without pay for time spent by the employee in responding to a summons for jury duty. This is your option. An employer commits an unlawful employment practice if the employer denies to an employee the option of taking leave without pay for service as a juror. An employee who is subjected to such action may bring a civil action or may file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Q: What if my employer violates the law? How would I complain about such practice?
A: To file a complaint under ORS 659A.820 because your employer committed an unlawful employment practice, you would file a complaint with the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. To file a civil action under ORS 659A.885 because your employer committed an unlawful employment practice, you would file a civil action in circuit court.
Q: Do I get compensated for being a juror in a municipal court?
A: The Oregon Legislature sets compensation for jury duty. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of an employment agreement, under ORS 10.061(3), a juror must waive the juror fee if the juror's employer pays the juror a wage or salary for the day(s) of jury service. Jurors are entitled to $10.00 per day under ORS 10.061(1). Mileage shall be paid at a rate of eight cents per mile for travel in going to and returning from the place where the service is performed, ORS 10.065(1).
