From the Presiding Judge
Elisabeth A. French
PRESIDING JUDGE
TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ALABAMA
Jefferson County Courthouse, Room 370
716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
On behalf of the Judges of the Jefferson County Courts, it is my privilege to welcome you to jury service. Jury duty is one of our most important responsibilities as citizens. Your willingness to serve is very much appreciated.
The Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Alabama guarantee a right to trial by jury in many civil and criminal cases. In a jury trial, the Judge rules on the law and the jury is the judge of the facts. After the presentation of the evidence, the Judge will instruct you on the law to be applied in each particular case. The jury then returns a “verdict” which means “to speak the truth.” Verdicts should be fair and impartial.
We do our best to make efficient use of your time. We know that you are taking time away from your families, your jobs and from your lives in order to be here. If you are given the opportunity to serve, we hope that you will understand the importance of jury service and encourage your family and friends to serve when summoned. Again, thank you.
The Jefferson County Juror Handbook and the Juror Exit Questionnaire are available for download as a PDF file.
Elisabeth A. French
Presiding Judge of Jefferson County