Superior Court

What is Jury Service?

The right to trial by jury is a fundamental principle of our democracy and is guaranteed by both the United States Constitution and the Rhode Island Constitution. Trial by jury is the American democratic way of administering justice. In criminal cases, jurors decide whether the state has proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Many civil cases, such as suits for damages caused by an accident or contract disputes, are also decided by a jury. Thus, jurors play an important and vital part in the administration of justice.

Accordingly, persons called for jury duty should not ask to be excused except for urgent reasons. The burden is widely distributed, and no person is eligible to serve more than once every three (3) years. The court tries to reduce inconvenience to jurors as much as possible. Please see the Jury Service Booklet for further information.

I received a postcard, what do I do?

If you received a postcard from the Office of the Jury Commissioner, you must complete a Juror Questionnaire which is available online on the Rhode Island Jury Service eResponse. Please take time to read the Jury Service eResponse - Instructions as the document provides direction and instruction for navigating the Rhode Island Jury Service eResponse.

Receiving a postcard and filling out the juror questionnaire is not a summons for jury duty. If you are summonsed for jury duty, you will receive notice in the mail to report on a specific date and time. Please contact the Office of the Jury Commissioner with any questions.​​​​​