Don't be afraid of jury duty! It's both an honor and an obligation.

Because DH and I are federal employees, we've been called many times. There are three stages to go through. First you sit in a gathering room with everyone else called. There they will call some of you to the courtroom. Not everyone is called and if you're not, you can go home. If you're called, you go to the courtroom and sit with everyone else again. The bailiff calls the names at random of those selected to actually sit on the jury. When twelve people have been called, the attorneys begin the "voir dire" - asking questions of the potential jurors. If you give an answer which might prejudice you against the case (and you probably wouldn't know what that answer might be), you will be politely excused. Then a new person is called. This is repeated until the attorneys are satisfied with the jury. Those who haven't been called are then excused, and the trial begins. The judge will give you very, very clear instructions. There are fairly frequent breaks for bathroom and coffee time. During this time you may not discuss the case with anyone.

DH has served on two juries and I have been on one (I was called to the actual jury three times and excused during voir dire twice). It's a fascinating experience. I always take a paperback book with me. A book is smaller and quieter than a magazine. But it doesn't look good to be reading while you're in the courtroom! You should also bring a pad of paper and a pen, in case you're allowed to take notes. Sometimes even on an easy civil case the arguments can be complex!

Good luck! You will feel like a good citizen!

True, nothing to be scared of, and in my opinion, every one should serve on at least one jury in one's lifetime. It's our civic duty, and interesting.

I've been called twice for federal jury duty, but never got picked, nor past the "waiting room". Yes, take a paperback. The time you are there may be long or short. I think federal jury requires a bit more "dress up" than other courts. I recall the men were supposed to wear coats, and women just regular dress--not jeans and sweats. I think it tells you that in your summons.

One word, if you don't show for a federal jury duty summons, they will go looking for you. The ones I was called on, two or three people didn't show, they issued a summons on the spot, and sent deputies out to bring the people in.

It's a bit different in England. The time I was called (about twenty years ago now), I was expected to attend for two weeks. The jury was groups of 15, and up to three could be summarily removed by defence or prosecution. That may have changed now. There's no voir dire in the same way. So in a two-week period, I was on two cases - one was two days in total, the other was three days, including a full day of legal argument in camera (so we couldn't listen) and then we were directed to find the defendant not guilty!

The other five days I played a lot of scrabble with other potential jurors.

It's actually pretty boring, unless you get onto a case. In England we're not allowed to discuss the case or say anything about the deliberations outside the jury room, so all I'll say is that I was extremely impressed by the common sense of the "twelve good men (and women) and true" the one time I did have to decide on the guilt or otherwise of a defendant.

This is by the way, but it's a famous story which I've always liked. In the days of circuit judges (where the judge and court literally went round a circuit of courtrooms around the UK to dispense justice) the story goes that the court had arrived in a town in Wales. They were trying a local in front of a jury for the offence of sheep stealing, a crime of which he was undoubtedly guilty. The defence advocate was a famous Welsh barrister, and the story goes that in his closing speech, he asked the judge and prosecutor for permission to address the jury in their own language. This permission was granted, and the barrister spoke briefly in Welsh to the jury, who then aquitted the defendant without leaving the box. Afterwards, the prosecutor asked the defence barrister what he'd said to the jury. "Ah", said the barrister, "I simply said 'This is an English Court, in front of an English Judge, under English Law. But I'm Welsh, you're Welsh and the defendant is Welsh. Do your duty.'"

My county in Georgia actually extends library services to waiting (and waiting and waiting) jurors. While the books are not exactly high end, there is an interesting enough selection of paperbacks. There is no system of accountability--you are merely asked to drop the books off at your local library when finished. I snagged several books (and dutifully returned to my local a couple weeks later) One was stamped "Pre-trial detention Center" --interesting for the coffee table.

I have been summoned 3 times to serve but each time I was questioned and let go....the rule here is if you are called and show up 3 times-even though you are not chosen to serve-that is your commitment honored....so I suppose that means I don't have to expect to be called again.

Pat

I haven't served on a federal jury, but I have been called twice for regular jury duty. Both times were when I was still working, and they let those of us not chosen for the day go back to work after the jury selection was completed. I always took a book, too. Others had newspapers and magazines, but I don't know if they brought them or if they were available in the jury room.

I agree that it is both interesting and educational, although the one case I sat on was utterly stupid and quite easy to reach a unanimous verdict on. It was one of those that should never have come to court.

Do be sure to be on time. They frown on late arrivals.

I live in Colorado, and the rule here (and perhaps elsewhere as well) is that you cannot be summoned to jury service more than once in a year. What I didn't realize is that you can be summoned once in a year for every separate court.

14 years ago I recieved jury summonses for 4 different courts in the same 6-month period. I was nursing a newborn baby (which doesn't get you excused) and that was rather, um, fun. Each court operated somewhat differently, but the one thing they had in common was much waiting with nothing to do. So, yes, take a good book, but not one that requires too much concentration, as you have to be on the listen for your name or number to be called and there will be intermittent distractions throughout your time there.

If you actually serve on a trial, it's a great insight into the justice system. I decided I would never want to be a lawyer after serving. Too much tedium. Have fun!

I've been called three times, but only actually served once. I don't think it was for federal court,just local. The first time, there were no trials scheduled so I didn't actually have to go in. The second time, I served on a jury in a civil case which lasted a day and a half. The third time I couldn't serve as it was less than three years since I had served before and they don't allow one to serve more than once in a three year period. That was 4 or 5 years ago so I wouldn't be surprised to be called again. I agree with the others; take a book to read, but make sure it's something light that won't keep you from hearing your name or number being called.

Guess what? I had to call a hotline for furthur instructions on Friday and the selection was cancelled as the trial was postponed.

Cancellation aside, I'm very grafteful to you folks that posted such helpful information. I am sure there is a chance that I will be summoned in the future and now I have peace of mind because of the above posts.

The advice I received will not be forgotten.