I am in the US on a work visa and have been summoned to do jury duty - Do I have to attend?

Question

I am in the US on a work visa and have been summoned to do jury duty - Do I have to attend?

Answer 1

i thought you needed to be an american citizen to do jury duty

Answer 2

If you got the summons then yes you have to go. If you don't there is a chance they could take you to jail. Just go and they might let you go because you are on a work visa.

Answer 3

Yes... DUH!... citizens have to BY LAW to do jury duty.... you can't get out of it either

Answer 4

As per Denise you are not obligated.  Not being a citizen, you are not entitled to this honour.  But now that you have got the invite, why don't you just turn up?  At best you may help render justice; at worst it will be a mistrial. Let the circus go on.

Answer 5

No. If you are not a citizen, then you do not have to serve on a jury. I am Canadian and have been summoned for jury duty before. There should be a box you can check that states you will not be reporting for jury duty as you are not a US citizen.

Woo hoo!

Answer 6

Yes if not they will go after you!!

Answer 7

yes, welcome to the US

Answer 8

How do you get jury duty and not be a citizen (i.e. not be able to vote)?  That cannot be.

If you did vote, you'll be in some serious doo-doo when you show up.

Answer 9

I found a website from PA, but I'm sure the other states have the same law.

It said the following:

I am not a citizen of the United States but I would still like to serve as a juror. Why can’t I?

The law automatically disqualifies non-citizens, convicted felons whose civil rights have not been restored, and people under 18 years of age from jury service.

On some summons forms there are examples of those exempt and you mark an X by the one that applies and you send it back.   If that's not on your sheet, call the courthouse (the number should be on the sheet) and explain the situation.  If you don't respond, the judge can put out a warrant for your arrest.