Statement on Student Jury Service
According to the Office of Jury Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, every U.S. Citizen 18 years of age or older who is a Massachusetts resident or an inhabitant for more than 50% of the year is eligible to serve as a juror in Massachusetts.
It is not unusual for students residing in Hampshire County to be summoned to serve as trial jurors. Jury service, on a short-term basis, can provide students with a good opportunity to fulfill one of their important responsibilities as members of the community. The University of Massachusetts Amherst supports students in their fulfillment of this civic duty.
Students should carefully read all materials they receive with their summons to service, which contain helpful information about confirming, postponing, rescheduling, or relocating service, and address many of the most frequently asked questions. Jury duty is an important legal obligation, and those who fail to respond are subject to criminal prosecution.
Students who must miss class in order to fulfill their jury service requirement should notify each of their instructors of the summons and make arrangements to complete any missed work. Students may be required to furnish their summons notice or the certificate of service when making these arrangements.
If you have any questions about jury duty, including confirming, postponing, rescheduling, or limiting your service, please contact the Office of Jury Commissioner (1-800-THE-JURY/1-800-843-5879). Further information can be found on the Office of the Jury Commissioner’s website at www.massjury.com.
