Do you need to speak in front of a group when serving jury duty? e.g. do you have to introduce yourself???

Question

What happens if I can't even speak in front of a group of 2 or more people? I get nervous and blank out or studder. If I'm forced to speak in front of more than 5 people, I don't think it will happen. Can I get a doctor's note to avoid jury duty? It is EXTREMELY detrimental to my health having to go through that.

Answer 1

No-- You don't have to talk in front of a group and as I recall you do not have to introduce yourself to the group if you are selected.

The DA or Prosecutor will do a roll call and you raise your hand to let them you know that you are present.

I have the same problem that you do speaking in front of a group. It scared me to death but my experience was painless and very interesting !!

Answer 2

if you get called to jury duty, you could end up sitting in a big room reading a book until 5:00 and never get called into the courtroom. so, there's always that chance. but yes, if you get randomly selected to go in, you will have to speak in front of the approx. 50 people who get called in with you. you have to say your name, age, occupation, and any objections you may have with serving on the case. if you actually get selected for the jury, you won't have to talk in front of people anymore.

my advice is to just hope you don't get called in. if you do get called in the courtroom, you will have to speak in front of people. but it will be short and sweet and over before you know it. don't psyche yourself out, you'll make it worse. there's no such thing as a doctor's note, you can't get out of it, so just face the music and know you'll be fine.

Answer 3

Only if you are the foreman, then of course there is the deliberation amongst the other jurors so that can be construed as a group.

Answer 4

Relax.  Take a deep breath.  I doubt you'll have to do anything like that EXCEPT if you get called into a jury.  You will then be questioned by the judge and/or the attorneys about your ability to be impartial.

Good luck

Answer 5

No

Answer 6

I never had to introduce myself, but they seemed to know what I did.  I have been to jury pools 4 times in 7 years and never been picked.  I was told it's because I am not a jury of my peers since I have an education...um,,,ok...I'd rather have educated people on my jury if I have had a problem...but then again, that would be a jury of my peers.  Politics and lawyers...gotta love em.

Answer 7

Yes, but it's pretty limited.  You have to introduce yourself and judge and the lawyers will ask the jurors some questions.  But that's usually the extent of it, unless you're the foreman.

Answer 8

It depends, if you are say going to be a juror for a murder trial they will ask you questions in front of the whole courtroom before the trial. They ask you things like, "Are you for or against the death penalty?" or "How long you have lived at your address?" This is just a part of jury selection. If you are selected then you just listen. If you are selected as the foreman of the jury you will be the one to read the verdict. It's no big deal, most of the talking goes on behind closed doors and very private.

Edit: Yes you can get a doctors excuse. You might need to provide that before court or at least have it with you when you go.