What Happens During Jury Duty?

Did you receive a jury duty summons in the mail? While you might be tempted to disregard this notice, that would be a big mistake.

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Jury duty is mandatory. Failing to respond and show up to court when requested could result in fines or even jail time.

What Is Jury Duty?

Jury duty is a civil responsibility that requires citizens to serve as jurors when selected. Jurors must agree to be fair and impartial when making decisions. It’s a vital part of the American court system. It ensures the defendant’s right to a trial by their peers in accordance with the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

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Jury Duty — Start to Finish

As with most legal processes, there are strict protocols in place when it comes to jury duty. Below are the answers to some of the most important questions about jury duty to help you understand how it works.

Are You Eligible for Jury Duty?

To be eligible for jury duty, you must be at least 18 years old, be an official citizen of the United States and reside in the county or state where the trial is held.

Each court system maintains a pool of eligible jurors found through public records, such as voting or driving records. As needed, the courts select potential jurors randomly from this pool of citizens.

What Is a Jury Duty Summons?

If the courts pull your name from its pool of potential jurors, you'll receive a jury duty summons in the mail. This summons includes vital information, including the date, time and location of the court.

You’re legally required to follow the instructions on the summons. Each jurisdiction handles this a little differently, so it’s important to read these instructions carefully.

Depending on your specific situation, you may be able to postpone your jury duty to a future date or even get an exemption so you don’t have to serve.

Jury Selection

Just because you receive a jury duty summons doesn’t mean you’ll serve on a jury. But you do have to appear at the specific time, date and location listed on your summons.

Once you arrive, you’ll likely be placed in a room with all the other jurors. At some point during the day, you’ll be pulled into a courtroom where the judge and attorneys from both sides can ask you a variety of questions. These questions can pertain to your background, life experiences, beliefs and more.

This is referred to as the voir dire process. The purpose of this process is to help the lawyers select jurors who can be impartial and deliver an unbiased verdict.

What Happens If You’re Picked for Jury Duty?

If you’re selected as a juror, you’ll be given additional instructions. For example, you’ll be told when and where you should appear, what items you can bring with you and what to wear.

On your first day of jury duty, you’ll receive a brief orientation that explains your responsibilities as a juror. During the trial, you're also expected to keep all information confidential and not conduct any outside research about the case.

What Happens During a Trial?

Once the court proceedings begin, each side will provide evidence and witness testimony. You’re expected to remain attentive throughout the trial and carefully listen as each side presents its case. If the trial lasts more than one day, the judge will give you instructions regarding the next time you're due to appear.

What Happens During Deliberations?

Once both parties have finished presenting their case, the jury will deliberate to determine a verdict. During deliberations, jury members discuss the facts and the case and then take a vote. For criminal cases, the decision must be unanimous. Civil cases typically only require a majority of the votes.

Once a verdict is determined, the jury notifies the bailiff. The court calls everyone back into the courtroom, and the final verdict is read. At this point, the case is over. Jurors then go through a debriefing process and are done with jury duty.

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Jury Duty: Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Need to Wear for Jury Duty?

Jurors are expected to dress appropriately for court. Typically, this means no miniskirts, shorts, sweatpants or tank tops. Your jury duty summons or court website should explain appropriate courtroom attire.

How Long Does Jury Duty Last?

Jury duty can last for just a few hours or for several weeks. It depends on the magnitude of the case. If selected for jury duty, the judge may be able to give you a basic timeline for how long the trial may last.

Do You Get Paid for Jury Duty?

Jurors are compensated for their time. However, it’s usually for a nominal fee that isn’t close to what you earn at work. Sometimes, employers will pay their employees while on jury duty.