I have jury duty... i was wondering what the procedure is like if you get picked??

Question

i dont have a problem going to jury duty. it actually sounds like fun. Ive never had to actually serve when i was called upon. i was let go. Im just nervous about the whole "if you get picked as one of the 12 jurors". What is it like? And, like in the movies, is it really the same, if you are picked as one of the 12 do you all have to agree on the same verdict? like, if i really dissagree with all of them, do i have to cave in and accept it just so the trial doesnt get dragged on?? im worried about that- i know this is a weird question but i really want to know. if youve had to be one of the chosen 12, what is it like?

Answer 1

This depends on what you were called for. Some people get called for criminal or civil cases.

During the selection, they will ask you specific questions and decide if they will pick you depending on your answer.

If you are doing a criminal case, they'll ask questions like: Do you know the defendant? Have you seen him/her before? Do you have any bias towards_______(charge pending with the person), How do you feel about the penalty for the charge...stuff like that.

In a civil case, they'll ask some of the same questions except they will pertain to the case like a case against a company. Questions like: do you use this product? have you ever used this product? Have you had a problem with it? Would you sue? General B.S. questions of that nature.

It's not bad, and please don't feel bad that you don't get chosen for a trial. A lot of times, your employer will make allowances for jury duty and let you keep the 5-8 bucks a day you get paid or they'll pay you your regular salary and give them the money the court gives you.

This is from my experience in Arkansas.

Answer 2

Just make sure that you have all your facts to support your point of view. It is your job to be able to convince by the proof of evidence the other jurors to see it your way. Yes, it does take time. Take asprin. You will get a headache.

    When it comes time to deliberate, you all vote for a foreman. You take an initial vote to see where everyone stands to begin with and then you go over the reasons and evidence and all come together.  It's a big debate.

Answer 3

There are criminal and civil juries and the former have to agree on a verdict while the latter may be only a majority or super majority depending on the state.

  A large group of jurors is called and then from that group a smaller group is sent to each courtroom that needs a jury.  In Dallas we have one day one trial, so if you are not picked, you go in the pool for that day and if you are still not picked at the end of the day (actually, usually midday) you go home for at least 6 months.

   Normally you wait in the hall.  All the possible jurors are called in and sit in the audience space.  The lawyers and clients are introduced and the case is briefly explained.   The first question is usually whether any member of the jury knows anyone involved in the case.  They are asked to explain and may be dismissed.  If the case is complicated, jurors are asked to fill out a questionnaire.  If not, then each lawyer may ask questions like "Have you ever sued anyone?"  "Have you ever been sued?"   If the case has some awkward complications - like people being against the death penalty or involving a policeman, the lawyers or the judge may ask if anyone feels they could not be fair in this situation.  If the case is going to take several days (or weeks) the jurors will be asked about hardships this would impose.  The lawyers may ask the judge that people be dismissed for cause - an opinion about the trial, children at home, whatever.  The lawyers then have the option of rejecting a juror without saying why - here the lawyer may try to get rid of extra men, or extra women, or blacks or whatever to make the jury more to his or her liking.  Commonly a jury, especially in a criminal case, will be chosen with a couple of extras who listen to all the evidence, but don't vote finally unless one of the 12 comes down sick or is otherwise taken away.

  The case may start immediately, begin in the afternoon after lunch or the next morning.  Jurors are warned not to talk about the case while at lunch but are normally not sequestered (isolated from the public and TV) unless it is a very high level case.

  When both sides have had their say, the judge gives instructions and the jurors are sent out to a meeting room where they discuss and vote until they can reach a conclusion or conclude that they can not make a decision.   If the jury is not sequestered, they are sent home in the evening to return the next day, unless they feel they can conclude in a couple of hours and want to stay to avoid the delay.