NC H1148

Removes the sheriff's role from jury summons service by allowing clerks of superior court to directly prepare and issue summonses instead of delivering them to the sheriff.

Permits jury summonses to be served by first-class mail, personal delivery, leaving a copy at the juror's residence, or by telephone, with service required at least 15 days before court convenes.

Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to educate court clerks, sheriffs, and stakeholders about the statutory changes.

The jury summons procedure changes become effective December 1, 2022, and apply to all jury summonses issued and served on or after that date.