Alaska’s jury system

Most people have heard about jury duty, but many don’t know there are actually two types of juries. You might be called to serve on either a grand jury or a petit jury. These two juries do different jobs, and understanding them helps you see how our legal system protects everyone’s rights.

A petit jury is what most people think of when they hear “jury duty.” This is the jury you see in movies and TV shows. The word “petit” is French for “small.” In Alaska, a petit jury usually has twelve people, though some cases might use only six. When you serve on a petit jury, you listen to evidence during a trial. Your job is to decide if someone is guilty or not guilty in a criminal case, or who wins in a disagreement between two people. The trial happens in open court where everyone can watch. Both sides present their evidence, call witnesses, and explain their side of the story. After hearing everything, the jury goes to a private room to talk about the case and decide.

A grand jury works very differently. This jury is called “grand” because it’s bigger, with sixteen people in Alaska. However, only twelve members need to be there to do their work. The grand jury doesn’t decide whether someone is guilty or innocent. Instead, they decide if there’s enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. Grand jury meetings are secret, and the public cannot watch. Only prosecutors present evidence, and the person being investigated usually isn’t there to defend themselves yet. This might seem unfair, but the grand jury is only deciding if there’s enough reason to move forward with charges, not if the person actually did the crime.

Alaska has something special that makes it different from other states. Citizens can ask a grand jury to investigate something they think needs attention. In 2025, the state created a new website at courts.alaska.gov/petition to make this easier for Alaskans to use. The website has an official form and simple instructions.

To ask for an investigation, you need signatures from at least 100 registered voters from your area. The form must explain what you want investigated and why. After you submit it, a judge reviews it. If the judge approves, the grand jury must investigate. This gives regular citizens genuine power to demand answers when they believe something wrong has happened. However, the grand jury still makes the final decision about bringing charges based on what they discover.

Grand jurors in Alaska serve for three months and review many cases during that time. Petit jurors usually serve for just one trial, which might last from one day to several weeks depending on how complicated the case is.

Both types of juries are important to our justice system. Before a trial, the grand jury checks for actual evidence from prosecutors before putting someone through a criminal trial. The ability for citizens to ask for investigations adds another way to hold people accountable. The petit jury protects people by making sure regular citizens, not just judges or government officials, decide guilt or innocence.

If you’re called for jury duty in the Mat-Su Borough, you’ll get a letter in the mail telling you when and where to go. The letter will explain which type of jury you’re being called for. You may be excused for valid reasons, such as serious health problems, being out of state, active duty deployment, or living too far from the courthouse. Childcare, class attendance, vacations, and similar common inconveniences likely will not allow you to opt out. If it did, there’s be no parents, collegians, or law enforcement on juries; but they are a part of our society and peers for many defendants.

If you get a jury summons, don’t immediately try to get out of it. Jury duty is one of the few times ordinary citizens directly take part in our justice system and protect other citizens. The system only works when we all share the responsibility. That said, if you have a genuine conflict, contact the Court Clerk right away. Be ready to provide proof and remember the court might postpone your service instead of excusing you completely.

To learn more about jury service in Alaska, visit courts.alaska.gov or call the Palmer Courthouse at 907-746-8181. That’s the same number to call if you are checking if your juror number needs to be at court the next day. The courthouse is at 435 South Denali Street in Palmer.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.