The Board of Jury Commissioners is made up of six jury
commissioners who represent the citizens of Clayton County. They
are appointed by the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Clayton
County. They are required to take an oath that states they will
administer the duties of the office faithfully, without bias, and
maintain the secrecy of the proceedings of the commission unless
called upon to testify in court. Jury Commissioners serve a term of
six years. The Jury Commissioners meet at least once every two
years.
The present board members are:
- Virginia R. Hasty
- Susan Hascall
- Allie B. McNeal
- Charles A. Wilson
- Kelsey L. Hanibal
- Jacquline D. Wills
The purpose of the Board of Jury
Commissioners as required by state and federal laws is to ensure
that the traverse and grand juries are comprised of a fairly
representative cross-section of the county population. They use
various sources such as the driver's license list, official
registered voters list, church rolls, social and fraternal
organizations, utility services such as power, gas and water. The
Jury Commissioners take those lists and determine who is
eligible.
Citizens who are eligible must be
citizens of the United States of America, legal residents of
Clayton County and eighteen (18) years of age or older. Persons
convicted of a felony (or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude)
who have not been pardoned or had their civil rights restored are
not eligible for jury service.
The best method of determining who
meet these requirements is by sending out questionnaires.
Therefore, it is imperative that ALL of the information requested
on the questionnaire is provided.
The Jury Commission understands the
reluctance to provide this information, but we are required by
Georgia law to ascertain information regarding your race, sex and
age. All information is kept strictly confidential. If you
willfully fail to complete and return the information, you will be
summoned to appear for a hearing in the Superior Court of Clayton
County to show cause as to why you failed to do so before Chief
Judge Matthew O. Simmons.
Please call Jacquline D. Wills, Clerk of the Board of Jury
Commissioners at (770) 477-3401, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM -
5:00 PM, if you have any questions or require assistance. For
E-mail questions, please use: jacquline.wills@co.clayton.ga.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have moved from Clayton County?
- Please fill out the questionnaire with your new address, then
date and sign the questionnaire at the bottom and immediately
return it in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided.
What if my address has changed and I still reside in
Clayton County?
- Please fill out the questionnaire with your new address, then
date and sign the questionnaire at the bottom and immediately
return it in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided.
What if the person to whom the questionnaire was mailed
is deceased?
- Please fill in the date of death and your relationship to the
deceased in the indicated area of the questionnaire. Fill out the
bottom portion with the current date and sign your name and
immediately return it in the self-addressed stamped envelope
provided.
What if the person to whom the questionnaire was mailed
is in the military, away at college or out of the state or country
for some reason?
- Please forward the questionnaire to them if possible. If for
some reason the questionnaire cannot be forwarded to that person,
please write a brief explanation on the questionnaire, date and
sign it and immediately return it in the self-addressed stamped
envelope provided.
What if the person the questionnaire was addressed to is
a former resident or someone you do not know?
- Please mark the questionnaire "no longer a resident at this
address" and immediately return it in the self-addressed stamped
envelope provided.
What if the person the questionnaire was mailed to is 70
years of age or older and does not wish to be considered for future
jury duty?
- Please fill out the entire questionnaire, sign your name in
the indicated area and immediately return it in the self-addressed
stamped envelope provided.
What if the person the questionnaire was mailed to has a
permanent medical disability which would prevent them from serving
on jury duty now or at any time in the future?
- Please fill out a medical affidavit and immediately return it in
the self-addressed stamped envelope provided.
How long do I have to fill out the questionnaire and
return it to the Jury Commissioners?
- Ten days
What if another person in my household or someone I know
wants to serve on jury duty?
- To volunteer for jury service please send a letter addressed
to the Clerk of Superior Court with your name, address and phone
number and state whether you are volunteering as a traverse juror
or grand juror or email the jury clerk at jury.clerk@co.clatyon.ga.us.