Juveniles are entitled to a jury trial only under the Habitual Juvenile Offender Act. Generally, in civil cases, claimants seeking monetary damages have the constitutional right to a trial by jury, while those seeking other forms of relief do not, unless provided for by statute. All parties are equal before the law and each is given the same fair and impartial treatment. Your duty as a juror is to weigh all of the evidence and testimony presented to you and to decide the outcome of the case based upon the law and the evidence. Your decision must be fair, impartial and free of any bias or prejudice.
Jury service is the basis of our judicial system and is essential to the administration of justice.
Petit jurors in Lake County serve for one week, unless a trial to which you are assigned runs longer. During your week of service, when not actually on a trial, you will be on telephone alert. This allows you to go about your daily business until needed. If you have been selected as a Grand Juror, your term of service will be one day a week for a four-month period. The Illinois General Assembly and the Lake County Board have established a per diem reimbursement for jury service.