Jurors in Alameda Co. could be summoned by postcards instead of letters

ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. (BCN) - A new way to summon Alameda County residents to jury service will begin Friday, Alameda County Superior Court officials said today.
   
Prospective jurors will now receive a postcard -- rather than a letter in an envelope -- that tells them when and where to appear.
   
The postcard also doubles as a juror badge, so jurors should bring it to the courthouse when they appear, according to court officials.
   
Notifying residents with postcards rather than letters will save the county about $50,000 a year in postage and printing costs. The change is also a response to residents' request to conduct business online rather than in person.
   
Each postcard will ask residents to respond to the summons using an online system called eJuror. eJuror will be available 24 hours a day every day at www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/eJuror.
   
Prospective jurors without access to a computer can call the Jury Services Division at (510) 891-6031 to request a paper form, court officials said.
   
Other jury business can be conducted online such as rescheduling jury duty to a more convenient date and determining whether the qualifications for service have been met.
   
More information about responding to a summons can be found at www.alameda.courts.ca.gov or by calling (510) 891-6031.