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Jury Duty during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Note: Click on a question to expand or collapse content.

Do I still have Jury Duty?

Jury service is vital to the pursuits of truth and justice, and we appreciate you doing your part! If you want to reschedule or be excused from jury duty, go to the Jury Service page and send a request using your Jury Dashboard.

  • Trial Jury
    • Some jury proceedings, such as presumptive death trials, will continue to be held through videoconference unless a special exception is made by the presiding judge for an in-person trial.
    • All civil jury trials are suspended statewide until at least September 7, 2021, except a presiding judge may approve a jury trial in exceptional circumstances.
    • Misdemeanor criminal jury trials may resume April 19, 2021 everywhere except Anchorage and Palmer. Anchorage and Palmer will not start misdemeanor jury trials until at least May 3, 2021.
    • Class B and C felony criminal jury trials may resume June 1, 2021.
    • Class A and unclassified felony criminal jury trials are generally suspended until at least July 6, 2021.
    • The presiding judge in each district will monitor local COVID numbers and may suspend jury trials in a location if necessary to protect the public’s health. See Order No. 8259 Update Regarding Covid-19 and Criminal Jury Trials
    • Trial courts will follow the health and safety guidelines in the Alaska Court System Conducting Criminal and Civil Jury Trials, and Grand Jury During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
    • When jurors come to court, the court will take steps to protect everyone’s health. See “What changes will be made for trial Jury Duty to keep everyone safe?.”
    • See “What are the COVID-19 related orders affecting Jury Duty?.”
    • Read more about jury service, including the Trial Jury Handbook.
  • Grand Jury
    • In-person jury service for grand jury resumed February 8, 2021 in some locations. Some courts may have grand jury by Zoom or telephone.
    • In each court location, the presiding judge will decide if public health allows for in- person grand jury proceedings.
    • In-person grand jury proceedings are currently allowed in the following locations: Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Fairbanks.
    • The following locations have suspended in-person grand jury proceedings: Bethel for at least the month of February.
    • See “What are the COVID-19 related orders affecting Jury Duty?.”
    • Read more about jury service, including the Grand Jury Handbook.

See the letter from Chief Justice Bolger to prospective jurors about planned measures to ensure juror safety in the courthouses.


What are the COVID-19 related orders affecting Jury Duty?


Which Judicial District is my local court in?

See Court Locations by Judicial District.


What precautions should I take before I come to the courthouse for Jury Duty?


What changes will be made for trial Jury Duty to keep everyone safe?

The Court System is changing procedures to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about the Court System’s plan to conduct criminal and civil jury trials during the pandemic recognizing that different locations must address the issues based on their specific circumstances.

  • Picking a Jury
    • The court will send potential jurors questionnaires before their jury duty starts.
      • If you receive a jury summons and want to reschedule or be excused from jury duty, make that request when you fill out the questionnaire, or go to the Jury Service page and send the request using your Jury Dashboard
    • Some juries may be picked through a videoconference platform like Zoom, instead of in person.
    • If potential jurors are asked to come to the courthouse:
      • Everyone will answer health questions each day and have their temperature checked.
      • Everyone will need to use social distancing and stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
      • Everyone will need to wear a face covering, unless there is a reason for an exemption.
      • Fewer people will be called to come at the same time. Jurors may be asked to check in for service online and fill out a second questionnaire using the Jury Dashboard to shorten their time at the courthouse.
  • Being on a Jury
    • Everyone will answer health questions each day and have their temperature checked.
    • Everyone in the courtroom must wear a mask unless they are instructed to temporarily remove it for something like testifying or the court excuses them from wearing a mask for a valid health reason, and only if other safety measures are followed, like
      • social distancing, or
      • speaking behind plexiglass or a clear shield.
    • Most people will need to stay six feet apart from each other. The judge can allow exceptions to this for things like a lawyer and client sitting together, but only if they both agree.
    • Surfaces will be wiped down with disinfectant regularly.
    • If jurors need to see pictures or something in writing, they will either be shown on a screen or every juror will get their own copy. When this is not possible, the court will have safety measures in place like hand sanitizer or gloves.

What plans are in place to restart jury trials?


Where can I find more information on Jury Duty?

For more information on Jury Duty, including Jury Dashboard, Handbooks, Online Questionaire etc. visit the Jury Service homepage.

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