Jury Duty & Flu Season

Like many places of business St. Louis Circuit Court is closely watching the 2009 flu season. H1N1, commonly called "swine flu," will be a major concern this fall and winter but no one knows how severe the problem will be or how many of us will get sick.

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding flu season and jury duty. If you have specific questions about your jury service, call the court's jury office at 622-4457.

Is the court having people report for jury duty during flu season?
Yes. We are taking added steps this year to help prevent the spread of germs throughout the courthouse but at this time we are continuing with the normal schedule of civil and criminal jury trials.

What added steps is the court taking?
We are having jurors report to the courthouse in shifts during flu season to minimize the crowd size. Health experts believe that smaller crowds lessen the chance of passing on the flu virus. We are also placing hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the buildings and encourage you to wash and/or sanitize your hands frequently while at the courthouse.

Will reporting for jury duty put me at risk for exposure to the flu virus?
We do not believe that the courthouse is any more or less contagious than other places you visit on a regular basis - office buildings, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.

I am not feeling well. Do I still have to report for jury duty?
If you have flu symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, diarrhea or vomiting, do not report for jury duty. Instead, call the Jury Supervisor's Office at 622-4457. You will be asked to follow up with a written request to be excused and to provide a doctor's statement about your illness. Your jury service will be postponed for 3 to 6 months.

I have loved ones at home sick with the flu and I need to take care of them.
Call the Jury Supervisor's Office at 622-4457. Depending on your particular circumstances, you may be excused from jury service for a brief period.

For more information on flu season, go to www.fighttheflumo.com