If you’ve been summoned to a virtual grand jury in New Jersey, the first thing to do is call the jury management office listed on your summons and confirm how your session will be run. New Jersey became one of the first states to hold grand jury proceedings by video conference when courthouses closed in 2020, and the state Supreme Court upheld the practice as constitutional in April 2021. The court framed it as a temporary response to the public health emergency, not a permanent fixture, so whether your session is virtual, in person, or hybrid can depend on your county and the directives in place when you’re called.
What a Virtual Session Looks Like for Jurors
Jurors connect through a video conferencing platform from a private location. If you don’t have a laptop, tablet, or reliable internet, the judiciary provides equipment and IT support so technology isn’t a reason to miss service. Ask the jury management office when you call.
Before proceedings start, there are technical checks to confirm your audio and video work. You’ll be asked to show your surroundings on camera to prove no one else is in the room. On top of the standard juror oath, you take a supplemental oath of secrecy promising not to record, screenshot, or share anything from the session. If you notice any privacy breach during the proceeding, you’re required to report it right away.
Witnesses who testify remotely have to confirm no one is coaching them or messaging them while they answer. The prosecutor presents evidence adapted for the screen, examines witnesses, and asks the grand jury to vote. The core job doesn’t change because of the format.
Why New Jersey Holds Grand Juries by Video
When courthouses closed in 2020, prosecutors couldn’t obtain indictments and criminal cases couldn’t move forward. The judiciary shifted grand jury proceedings to Zoom to keep the system functioning. In State v. Vega-Larregui, decided in April 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that virtual grand jury sessions conducted during the pandemic were constitutional, while stressing that this was a temporary measure tied to the public health emergency.
Some defense attorneys and legal organizations objected, arguing the format could exclude people without reliable internet and that remote proceedings made confidentiality harder to protect. The court acknowledged those concerns but found the safeguards in place sufficient. The New Jersey Courts website still maintains videoconference instructions for jurors, but the format for any given session isn’t guaranteed, which is why confirming with your county office matters.
What the Grand Jury Is Actually Deciding
A New Jersey grand jury reviews evidence a prosecutor presents and decides whether there’s enough to charge someone with an indictable offense, the serious crimes other states usually call felonies. The grand jury doesn’t decide guilt or innocence. It decides whether probable cause supports moving forward.
The panel has up to 23 jurors, drawn from the same pool as regular jury service.1Justia. New Jersey Code 2B:21-2 – Impaneling Grand Jury At least 12 must agree to return an indictment, called a “true bill.” If the evidence falls short, the result is a “no bill” and the charges are dismissed. Proceedings are secret, and the defendant and defense attorney aren’t present at any point.
How Long You’ll Serve and What You’ll Be Paid
A state grand jury term can last up to 20 weeks, and the Assignment Judge can extend it in three-month increments if the work isn’t done. Grand jurors typically serve one day per week during the term.2NJ Courts. New Jersey State Grand Jury
Pay is modest. New Jersey pays $5 per day of service, with the rate rising to $40 per day after three consecutive days of attendance. For grand jurors on a one-day-a-week schedule, whether those days count as “consecutive” for the higher rate depends on how the court reads the schedule. Grand jury pay is not meant to replace your regular income.
Your Job Is Protected
New Jersey law prohibits employers from penalizing, threatening, or coercing employees because they’re required to attend court for jury service. The protection applies the full length of your service, grand jury or trial jury, and retaliation is a violation of state law.
Private employers aren’t required to pay your regular wages while you serve. Some do as a benefit; many don’t. If your employer doesn’t cover you, the court’s daily stipend is all you’ll get. Check your handbook or ask HR before your service starts so there are no surprises.
Getting Excused or Deferred
Requests for excuse or deferral go to the Assignment Judge.1Justia. New Jersey Code 2B:21-2 – Impaneling Grand Jury Common grounds include medical conditions, extreme financial hardship, and caregiving responsibilities that can’t be rescheduled. You’ll generally need to submit the request in writing with supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note.
A deferral postpones service to a later date rather than wiping it out, and it’s often easier to get approved than a full excusal. Contact the jury management office on your summons as early as you can. Waiting until the morning you’re supposed to appear makes relief much harder to get.
What Happens if You Ignore the Summons
Skipping a grand jury summons isn’t free. Anyone who fails to appear without a reasonable excuse faces a fine of up to $500, payable to the county, or can be held in contempt of court.3Justia. New Jersey Code 2B:20-14 – Failure to Respond to Questionnaire or Summons The same penalty applies if you don’t return the juror qualification questionnaire that usually arrives before the summons. Contempt can bring additional consequences, including potential jail time at the judge’s discretion.
A virtual format doesn’t change the obligation to appear. If technology is the problem, call the jury management office. The court supplies equipment and support precisely so a lack of hardware or internet access isn’t a reason to miss service.