Have you ever been summoned for jury duty?

Question

How does it work? They want me to show up on 4/14 for something. I work full time and my employer is going to be totally whigged out over this.

Answer 1

By law your employer is required to allow you to go, so they should not be "whigged out".  However, they are not required to pay you for the time you are out.

When you go most courts give you a brief explanation of how the court system works.  You will then may be given a group number.   At this time you basically just wait until your name(or group) is called.  So bring something that you can do to occupy your time.

When you are called, you will go to a court room. At that time the judge will go over some more information.  This would include the process as well as what the case involves and estimated time.   One thing the judge will want to know is if you know anyone related to the case, or if the estimated time would cause you a hardship.  The hardship comes into play if for example you don't get paid by your employer, but the case is expected to last for 2 weeks.  

Then you may be questioned by the attorneys or judge.  After this process they may select you to be on the jury.  If you are not selected you return to the Waiting room to be called again.  If by the end of the first day you are not on a case you will be given instructions as to if you have to come back again, call in to see if you need to return, or be told you are no longer needed.

Everyone in the courts know that you are not a legal expert so they will go into detail in simple non-legal terms for things that you need to know.  So do not worry about having no idea what is going on, you would not be alone.

Answer 2

Unless you work for a Government agency your employer will freak out. You will also find out that the questions asked of the people are stupid and the fate of that person is determined before the trial ever begins. I have gone to jury duty before and this was true every time.

Answer 3

Your employer is going to understand.  I've been summons too.  Only I was on call for 90 days and when I finally got chosen for a jury, it was a 6 day trial.   I thought I was going to die, I was far too important to be out of the office for 6 days.  Guess what.....I survived and the company didn't close down.  Your boss will survive and you will have served your community.

Answer 4

Your employer cannot stop you from Jury Duty, it is the law.  Most employers will pay to a certain extent.  It's a good experience to see how the state judicial system works.  If you get a case you'll be paid mileage, and a daily fee.

Go for it.  Learn about what some of your tax dollars are being spent on.

Answer 5

yes, and by law (in the U.S anyway), your employer HAS to let you off for jury duty, although he does not have to pay you for that time, but many do.