Jury duty...what is it all about?

Question

from day 1

with selection

and everything

what is it like?

Answer 1

Take a few moments of your time and go over to..

www.fija.org

They are the "Fully Informed Jury Association". they will give you a heads up on your rights as a juror.

Answer 2

most likely you wont have to serve.  you just go to a room and wait around to be called.   most likely you will spend a morning or afternoon there and that will be it.

if you are called, just answer the questions in the forms truthfully.

if you make it to the jury box, just answer the questions truthfully and dont worry about it.

Answer 3

People always talk about trying to get out of it, but actually it's interesting to be on a jury. It can be really boring at the beginning of the process. In my county, you have to call to find out if they even want you to show up at the courthouse (your particular group has a reference number). If you're told to show up, you're put in a big room with lots of other potential jury pools and wait and wait to see if your group's # is called. Eventually you're told to go home and you've done your duty or, call again tomorrow or, show up tomorrow or, go to the courtroom. If you go to the courtroom, then the defendant and prosecutor are there and you wait and wait. Then they start calling juror numbers randomly. If your number is called, you have the opportunity to be excused for hardship such as, your employer won't pay you while you serve, you have a handicapped family member you care for, etc. If you don't have a hardship you go up and sit in the jury box. When those chairs are filled, the defense and the prosecutor get to ask questions of the potential jurors to see if they want you on their jury. This is also the part where you can be excused for cause, such as you know the defendant or prosecutor, live next door to the crime scene, anything that may make you biased. If your chosen you are informed of the charges against the defendant. You can't talk to the judge directly in the courtroom without permission once you're chosen. The bailiff assigned to the judge takes care of you guys and if you need to talk to the judge the bailiff gives him a note from you. You can't talk to the defense or prosecutors either. (If you happen to ride down in the elevator or see them at the grocery store, it's okay to acknowledge them, but that's it). I had an attempted murder and mayhem case. It is a very interesting experience when you realize that you're part of that person's destiny. Our judge took care of us by having coffee and doughnuts every morning. Everybody refers to you as Mrs., Ms, or Mr. I look at it as a responsibility as a citizen. I wouldn't want a bunch or people who didn't have a brain in their heads with nothing better to do to be on a jury for me or my loved one. (hopefully that would never happen). I'm also fortunate to have an employer who will pay me while I'm on jury duty.

Answer 4

They have all prospective jurors sit in the court room where they will tell you some facts about the case, then several will be called up to answer questions. Depending on what kind of case it is will determine what kind of questions are asked. Some of the questions will be things like,-- Do you know anyone involved in the case, lawyers, defendant, witnesses. -They will tell you the names of everyone who will be there.--If it is a criminal case they will ask weather you have yourself been or anyone you know been convicted of anything. Did you agree with the judgment--. For something like a car accident they will ask different questions.

They will tell you how long its going to last. You might get picked for more than one trial, depending on how long you have to serve where you live.  Here in Wyoming we have to serve for 6 months because there are so few people living here.

Just answer every thing they ask honestly and you will do fine.