what ABOUT JURY DUTY…
Jury service is one of the most important
duties of citizenship, and one we hope you will accept with pride.
This information is not intended to take
the place of the specific instructions you will get from the judge
concerning this case. It simply provides answers to some frequently
asked questions, so that you can be better prepared for your term of
service.
1. How long do I have to be on jury
duty? Your term will depend on when your service starts and in which
county you reside in. It is usually a term of 3-12 months. You will
receive a letter specifying your term.
2. How long do the cases last? There is
no “usual” case. You will be told at the beginning of any case you are
called for what the court expects from you for a time commitment if you
are selected.
3. What is a typical court day? The
court proceedings usually start at 9:00 am, meaning you will have to be
ready to be seated by that time. Court will usually end at 5:00 pm.
You will be given breaks about every 2 hours, and your lunch recess will
be at least 1 hour. You will be expected to make appropriate work or
family care arrangements so that you can show up every day, on time.
4. Do I get paid for jury service? Yes,
the county will pay you $50 per day for every day that you serve as a
juror. You will also get $.32/mile for your transportation costs (round
trip mileage from your residence to the courthouse). If you report for
service but are not selected for trial, you will be paid a $10
appearance fee, plus mileage.
5. How do I get in touch with my family
during the trial? You may ask the bailiff about placing calls or taking
messages for you. Personal cell phones are not allowed to be used.
It’s best to leave them at home.
6. Can I leave the courthouse once the
trial starts? The judge will give you instructions on this at the start
of the case. During the evidence part of the trial, you generally will
be able to leave for lunch and at the end of the day. Once you are in
deliberations, you will be sequestered (meaning all kept together), with
further instructions from the judge.
7. Is it true that I can’t talk to
anyone while I am serving as a juror? The judge will give you specific
instructions about this. Generally, though, you will be told to avoid
any outside contacts about this case, including reading the paper,
listening to the TV or radio news, or talking to anyone about the
case. Once the trial is concluded, you will be free to discuss the
case with anyone you choose, but you are under no obligation to do so.
If you do decide to discuss it, you should treat it with the same degree
of solemnity as if you were talking about it in the presence of your
fellow jurors or under oath in the courtroom in the presence of the
parties. Always keep in mind that you and your fellow jurors have
deliberated and stated personal opinions with the understanding that
they were being expressed in confidence. Please respect the privacy of
the views of the other jurors.
8. Will my picture be taken by the
papers or television reporters? In most cases, the media will respect
your right to privacy, so that you won’t be approached, questioned,
interviewed, or photographed until after the conclusion of the trial.
Sometimes the judge might specifically instruct the media about this.
If you have a particular concern, please let one of the bailiffs know so
that this can be addressed.
9. Where do I park? Parking usually is
not designated. You are free to park in any public lot or on the street
surrounding the courthouse unless the judge instructs you otherwise.
10. How will I know what to do? Being a
juror requires no special skills or legal knowledge, only that you be
honest, impartial, and willing to keep an open mind. The judge will
instruct you about the law that applies in this case. The attorneys
will tell you what they think you need to know. And you may be able to
take notes during the trial, depending on the case. |
