United States District Court
Eastern District of North Carolina

PLEASE NOTE:

Order regarding closure: the Wilmington Courthouse will be closed Friday, April 5, 2024.

Public Notice Regarding Changes to Miscellaneous Court Fee Schedules Effective December 1, 2023.
The Judicial Conference approved inflationary adjustments to fees on the miscellaneous fee schedule will become effective December 1, 2023. Please review the District Court Fee Schedule under the "Public" tab at www.nced.uscourts.gov. Updated fees will be posted as of December 1, 2023.

The Wilmington Courthouse will be closed November 13 through November 17, 2023. Beginning November 20, 2023, court will resume in Wilmington at the Alton Lennon Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 2 Princess Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401. Please be aware that audio/video technology in Wilmington's Courtroom 1 is on interim status pending necessary funding. Anyone anticipating the use of such technology for demonstrative purposes in Courtroom 1 should review available resources and proceed accordingly.
FY 2024 Pre-Lapse in Appropriations Notice to Contractors
Camp Lejuene Water Litigation Information.
Case Management Order 1, Camp Lejeune Water Litigation.

courthouses
VISITOR INFORMATION: Mobile devices and weapons are not permitted in the courthouse. Please bring a photo ID.
JUROR FAQ

Qualification Questionnaire FAQ

Can I complete this form online?
Why did I receive a qualification questionnaire?
What if I refuse to return the questionnaire?
How will my personal information be safeguarded?
Who sees my personal information?
What if my name or address is different from what is shown on the printed questionnaire?
Why do I need to answer the questions about race and gender?
What if I have received the questionnaire or summons for someone who is deceased or otherwise unable to complete the form themselves?
What if I receive the questionnaire for someone who is a student or who is expected to be away from North Carolina for some extended time?
Does the questionnaire mean that I have to report for jury service now?
Can I ask to be excused now?
Do I need to complete the form even if I no longer live in the Eastern District of North Carolina?
Is the questionnaire being used for any other purpose?
What if I am confused by questions 5-7?
Where is the rest of the information regarding question 14 on the form?
What if I filled out the form in ink?
Where do I send the completed questionnaire?
What if I have lost my questionnaire?

Can I complete this form online?

Yes, questionnaires received after January 1, 2011 may be completed online. Visit us on the web at www.nced.uscourts.gov. Once there, click on the Jury link and then click one-JUROR. Please note: If you complete the form online, you do not need to complete and return the paper copy.
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Why did I receive a qualification questionnaire?

Pursuant to 28 U.S. Code Section 1863(b)(4), we are required to replenish the jury wheel or database every four years. The Eastern District of North Carolina replenishes its jury wheel after every congressional election. Your name was drawn by random from the North Carolina Voter Registration List. Your name may have been drawn again even though you have been called for service in our court previously. Each time we draw names, the randomization of names on the voter listings is repeated.
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What if I refuse to return the questionnaire?

Pursuant to 28 U.S. Code Section 1864, the questionnaire will be returned to you once with further instructions to complete and return the form. If you still refuse to complete the form, you may be summoned to appear in person and at your own expense to complete the form. If you refuse the summons, an order to show cause as to why you should not be held in contempt may be issued. Any person who fails to appear pursuant to such order or who fails to show good cause for not completing the questionnaire may be fined not more than $100.00 and/or held in jail for three (3) days. Any person who willfully makes false statements to avoid or secure service may also be fined or jailed in likewise terms.
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How will my personal information be safeguarded?

All paper questionnaires are maintained in locked file cabinets.

Electronic records created by the court in relation to jury functions are used only by the court and are not shared with any other agency or government entity. Access to such records is restricted to the Clerk of Court, the Chief Deputy, and the Jury Clerk. These electronic records are password protected along with other computer security measures.
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Who sees my personal information?

Only the jury clerk and the judge(s). On rare occasion, after a special showing of need to the presiding judge, the attorneys in a particular case may be allowed to review the questionnaires of jurors appearing for that particular trial. In that event, the attorneys are required to review the questionnaires in the presence of either the presiding judge or the jury clerk. No one is allowed to copy any information and the questionnaires are not allowed to leave the room.
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What if my name or address is different from what is shown on the printed questionnaire?

Write in your correct address next to the old address. Updates will be made upon receipt or your returned questionnaire.

If you complete the questionnaire online, you may make any name or address changes during the online process.
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Why do I need to answer the questions about race and gender?

This question is required solely to avoid discrimination in juror selection and has no influence on qualification for jury service. By answering these questions, you help the federal court check and observe the juror selection process so that discrimination cannot occur.
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What if I have received the questionnaire or summons for someone who is deceased or otherwise unable to complete the form themselves?

If you receive this questionnaire on behalf of someone who is deceased, simply make a note on the reverse side stating the date of death, your name, and your relationship to the deceased. You may enclose a copy of the death certificate if you have one. Since we only take names from voter registration lists, you may wish to contact the voter registration office in the last county of residence for the decedent to make sure that their name is removed from the voter registration list.

If you receive this questionnaire on behalf of someone who is, for some other reason, unable to complete the form for themselves, you may make an explanation on the reverse. Again, please state your name and your relationship to the intended recipient.

You may also address these situations online via e-JUROR.
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What if I receive the questionnaire for someone who is a student or who is expected to be away from North Carolina for some extended time?

You may return the questionnaire with a statement on the back as to the nature of the absence, your name, and your relation to the intended recipient of the questionnaire.

Either online or in paper form, submit a written explanation of the situation. If the person is a student, give the dates and name of the school where they are enrolled.
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Does the questionnaire mean that I have to report for jury service now?

No, the questionnaire is simply a screening tool. You will receive a summons stating a specific reporting time, date, and location if you are actually called for jury duty.
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Can I ask to be excused now?

The only excuses that will be considered at the questionnaire stage are those related to questions 8, 9, and 10 as well as questions 14(1) and 14(3). Excuses regarding question 14(2) will be handled on an individual basis if and when a person is summoned for jury duty. In regard to question 8, if you are asking for an excuse or postponement of service for less than six months, a doctor’s note is not needed. Simply explain your situation in the remarks section in your own words. Give enough detail so that the judge or clerk can make a reasonably informed decision. For example, a simple statement such as "back pain" will not be sufficient. We can accommodate that type of problem by allowing jurors to bring pillows for sitting or by seating such jurors on the back row so that they may stand or stretch as needed.

If you are asking to be excused or postponed for a period longer than six months, a doctor's note will be needed. If your condition is long-term or chronic, the doctor's letter should state this fact. Letters which leave the excuse period non- defined or illdefined will result in your name being subject to recall after six months.
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Do I need to complete the form even if I no longer live in the Eastern District of North Carolina?

Yes, completion of the form is mandatory pursuant to 28 U.S. Code Section 1864. Failure to complete the form my result in your being summoned to appear (at your own expense) in person to complete the form in the Clerk's office. Completion and return of the form ensures that we can document why we remove someone's name from the database.
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Is the questionnaire being used for any other purpose?

No, the questionnaires are used ONLY for the refill of the jury wheel. The questionnaire information is not shared with any other agency.
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What if I am confused by questions 5-7?

If you answer no to question 6, leave question 7 blank. If you answer yes to questions 6, then you will need to answer question 7.
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Where is the rest of the information regarding question 14 on the form?

The Eastern District of North Carolina only recognizes the three exemptions listed. Bubbles 4-10 should be left blank. Your form is not missing any data.
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What if I filled out the form in ink?

Send in the completed form anyway. It will be hand scored instead of being sent through the scanner.
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Where do I send the completed questionnaire?

Return the completed questionnaire in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope. If you have lost the reply envelope or did not receive one, mail the questionnaire to:

Office of the Clerk
U.S. District Court
Attn: Jury Services
P.O. Box 25670
Raleigh, N.C. 27690-7109
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What if I have lost my questionnaire?

You may call 919-645-1744 to request another copy. If you do not get an answer, please leave a message with your full name, your mailing address, and a return phone number.
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