Jury Service Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about COVID-19

 

Jury Service FAQ COVID-19

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Click on any of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about jury service in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 pandemic:

  1. Are face masks/coverings required?
  2. What should I do if a medical condition prevents me from wearing a mask?
  3. Will I be required to remove my mask during jury selection?
  4. What is the Court doing to ensure safety of the public?
  5. Is food available for purchase?
  6. I need to request an excuse or deferment based on COVID-19 related concerns.  What should I do?
  7. I, or someone in my household, is feeling ill and it is too late to submit a written request.  What should I do?

Are face masks/coverings required?

Face masks are required in all areas of the Federico Degetau Federal Office Building (“FOB”) building and the Clemente Ruíz Nazario Courthouse (“Courthouse”), including inside jury rooms and each courtroom. No one will be allowed to remove their face masks unless authorized by the presiding judge.

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What should I do if a medical condition prevents me from wearing a mask?

You should contact the Jury Department at 787-925-0782 or 787-925-0783 before your report date. 

Will I be required to remove my mask during jury selection?  

No, unless the presiding judiciail officer orders otherwise. In such an ocassion, a transparent face mask will be provided. 

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What is the Court doing to ensure safety of the public? 

  • Temperature checks will be conducted by Courthouse staff prior to entering the building.
  • Face masks are required in all areas of the FOB and the Courthouse.
  • Social distancing measures have been adopted at the initial security checkpoint and in the lobby of the Courthouse. We have modified entry procedures to guarantee appropriate spacing.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available to you at multiple locations in the Courthouse and in the jury room.
  • A deep cleaning/sanitization of the Courthouse will be completed early each morning and at the end of each court day.
  • FOB and Courthouse HVAC systems have been equipped with the highest quality air filters, fresh air will be circulated in accordance with COVID-19 standards and HVAC systems will operate before and after hours to ensure maximum air circulation.
  • Juror check-in and voir dire procedures have been modified to minimize personal contact. Jurors will be able to maintain adequate distancing from other jurors and others who are in the atrium and courtroom. This includes conducting the jury selection process at the Court’s atrium instead of a courtroom, relocating the jury box to where the courtroom benches are normally located, splitting up jurors into different jury rooms for breaks and using one of our largest courtrooms as the jury deliberating room.  date.

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Is food available for purchase? 

If you are selected as a juror, you will be provided lunch daily. This will avoid the need for you to visit local restaurants and any possible exposure.

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I need to request an excuse or deferment based on COVID-19 related concerns.  What should I do? 

Please call the Jury Department immediately at 787-925-0782 or 787-925-0783.

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I, or someone in my household, is feeling ill and it is too late to submit a written request.  What should I do? 

If you are instructed to report for jury service, and you develop any of the following symptoms, do not report to the Courthouse. Instead, contact the Jury Department at (787)-925-0782 or (787) 925-0783 for further guidance:

  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Sore Throat 
  • Fever or Chills
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Breathing Difficulty

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