WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU GO TO THE COURTHOUSE?

Go to the main courtroom in the Perry County Courthouse.  Be sure to get there in time to go through the check-in process at the backdoor where you will have to go through a metal detector and COVID check.  Do not bring a cell phone.  They are not allowed in the courtroom.

Grand Jury for the 21st Judicial District in Perry County will be empanelled on the fourth Monday in February.  After the August 5, 2022, election, the grand jury will be under the guidelines and rules of the 31st Judicial District.  

If the fourth Monday is a holiday, the Grand Jury will be empanelled on the following Wednesday.

WHO CAN BE SUMMONED?

In the American court system, criminal defendants are guaranteed the right to trial by a "jury of their peers". In Tennessee, a pool of potential jurors is randomly selected from the local population of individuals eligible for jury duty.  

A prospective juror must:

• Be at least eighteen years of age

• Be a citizen of the United States

• A resident of this state, and of the county in which summoned

• Not convicted of a felony; or perjury or subornation of perjury; or any other infamous offense in a court of competent jurisdiction

HOW ARE POTENTIAL JURORS CHOSEN IN TENNESSEE?

The first stage in jury selection is summoning a pool of potential jurors from the list of local citizens eligible to serve on a jury in Tennessee, as described above, to meet at the courthouse on the day designated on their mailed notice to appear.

The jury list is compiled from licensed driver records, or tax records, or other available and reliable sources that are so organized in a manner which allows for automated selection, such as property owners. The jury coordinator may use a single source or any combination of sources, and update as frequently as necessary, but not less than once every two years. Permanent voter registration records are prohibited from being used.

RECEIVING A JURY DUTY SUMMONS IN TENNESSEE

If your name is randomly selected for the jury pool through the process described above, you receive a jury summons in the mail instructing you to appear for jury selection on a pre-set day, either the fourth Thursday in February or August for Perry County.

The formation of a regular term for Grand Jury is on the first day of each term of court, the fourth Thursday in February or August.  The judge of the court authorized by law to charge the grand jury and to receive its report shall direct the names of all the qualified jurors in attendance for the criminal courts of the county to be written on separate slips of paper and placed in a box or other suitable receptacle and drawn out by the judge in open court. The foreperson and the twelve qualified jurors whose names are first drawn constitute the grand jury for the term and shall attend the court until dismissed by the judge or until the next term.

The judge presiding at any special term of the court may impanel a Special Term grand jury in the same manner and have the same powers as at a regular term. 

When expeditious administration of justice so requires, the court may likewise impanel a second concurrent Grand Jury.  This usually indicates a much higher volume of criminal investigation and need for indictments.  In Washington, D.C., for instance, in the 1970's there were four grand juries meeting everyday, five days a week, for three months.  Perry County doesn't have near the population of Washington, and doubtful we ever will.

CAN I GET OUT OF JURY DUTY?

While there are a few excuses for getting out of jury selection in TN, most people summoned will have to report to the courthouse for the next stage of the juror selection process, voir dire.

OATH OF GRAND JURORS

You as members of the grand jury do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will diligently inquire, and true presentment make, of all offenses given you in charge, or otherwise brought to your knowledge, committed or triable within this county; that you will keep secret the state's counsel, the other jurors' and your own; that you will present no person from hatred, malice, or ill will, nor leave any unpresented through fear, favor, or affection, or for any reward, or the promise or hope thereof, but that you will present the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, according to the best of your skill and understanding. So help you God.

CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY

After the grand jury has been impaneled and sworn, the judge shall instruct it concerning its powers and duties and the relevant law.  This is called the Charge to the Grand Jury.