Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:3042.1

  • Juror: A person who is on the jury.
  • person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
  • Petit jury: A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons.

A.  Individuals scheduled to appear for petit jury service have the right to postpone the date of their initial appearance for jury service one time only.  When requested, postponements shall be granted, provided that:

(1)  The juror has not previously been granted a postponement;

(2)  The prospective juror appears in person or contacts the clerk of the court by telephone, electronic mail, or in writing to request a postponement; and

(3)  Prior to the grant of a postponement with the concurrence of the clerk of the court, the prospective juror fixes a date certain on which he or she will appear for petit jury service that is not more than six months after the date on which the prospective juror originally was called to serve and on which date the court will be in session.

B.  A subsequent request to postpone petit jury service may be approved by a judicial officer only in the event of an extreme emergency, such as a death in the family, sudden grave illness, or a natural disaster or a national emergency in which the prospective juror is personally involved, that could not have been anticipated at the time the initial postponement was granted.  Prior to the grant of a second postponement, the prospective juror shall fix a date certain on which the individual will appear for jury service within six months of the postponement on a date when the court will be in session.

Acts 2003, No. 678, §1.