Jury duty whats it like?

Question

i had recieved those quesionare to be a jury n i lost it twice.... but now i have to go in or else but now the question is when u go in do u usually stay there long.... i have to go to work ... they already no about it....what exactly happens.... i have a feeling im gunna be one of the youngest people there...(im 20)

Answer 1

As I was made to understand it, (We were given a handy booklet/pamphlet that explained alot),

The Jury Pool can consist of names drawn from Voters Registration, DMV records, as well as names submitted when young men register for service eligibility.

Being called in doesn't guarantee that you will be chosen to serve on an actual case....

If your name is chosen from the main jury pool, you will be escorted to a jury room that is assigned to a particular courtroom and judge.

You will will be ushered into the courtroom, where there will be the Judge, the Prosecuting Attorney, the Bailiffs, the Court Reporter, and the Defendant, along with the Defendants Attourney. Sometimes the family and friends of both parties will be in attendence as well.

You will be given the highlights of the case that will be heard by the Judge, and they will explain what they expect from you if you are in fact chosen. At this time you will also be asked if you understand what has been explained. If you did not understand, they will explain it again.

The Attourneys on both sides will get a chance to ask each and every prospective juror a series of questions that they feel will help them decide if you are, in their opinion, suited to give a fair and unbiased verdict. The questions, depending on the case, might even be a bit personal.

For example, the case I was called up for was a rape case....I was asked by the Defendants Attorney if I was ever a victim of a violent crime...I answered "Yes" I was then asked what that crime was, I answered "I was raped"..she then asked if the perpetrator of that rape was tried and convicted, I answered "No."...I was asked if I still felt I could be unbiased, and I answered truthfully that I thought I could...after all it wasn't that young man that did it. I believe that I was not chosen on the that basis.

It is by that series of questions that the Attorneys decide who is or is not chosen.

I know this was a bit detailed....LOL but I hope it helped.

SIDENOTE:  Again I want to stress that being in a Jury Pool doesn't mean you are guaranteed to be chosen to serve on an actual case.  You must pass the questions that they will ask you...should you not pass, then you are either returned to the jury pool, or you are excused for the day.

Answer 2

when i had to show up for jury duty i ended up being there from about 8 to 3. we sat in a room and they called our numbers to be interviewed by the lawyers. we went back to the waiting room and those that got picked, had to show up for the trial, those that didn't had to wait to be interviewed by another set of lawyers. luckily, i wasn't picked, so i got to leave. a few days later, i got a check for $9 in the mail for my time. you probably will be one of the youngest people there, since you have to be over 18. good luck!

Answer 3

You will sit in a closed court room for a while, with the judge, the prosecutor and the defense attorney. You will be with a group of other people. You will be given detailed information and instructions at this meeting before the selection process begins. You will be questioned by the attornies as a group and individually. You may also have questions answered by the judge, if you do not understand the questions being directed towards you. The process may take anywhere from one  to two hours. If you are selected as a juror, further instructions will be given to you by the judge. The length of time you are in court depends on the type of case it is, and whether or not it gets continued. Various reasons will determine the length of time you are required to be there as a juror. All of this will also be explained to you, as the proceedings take place.

Hope that helps.

Experience: 12 years as a Deputy Sheriff.

Answer 4

you must go if summoned or get in trouble.  in Tarrant county, Texas, you sit in a large room after registering with the clerk.  you sit and wait for your name to be called.  

you go to the specified jury room to be polled by the lawyers.  you may be dismissed either for prejudice or being so far down on the list you aren't even polled.

sometimes a defendant plea bargains and there is no trial.  you go home!

Answer 5

You probably won't be the youngest, because you can go as early as 18, and lots of people of all ages are called to Jury Duty. You DONT have to work, because your employer is required to allow time for Jury Duty. You will get a form stating you were there, and you will be excused from work. There is NO way of telling how long it will be. There are a million factors. For example- how many trials are that day, what size is the court house, are all of the cases going to trial, will you be called to one of the trials, will you serve on the jury. Sometimes, the people work fast and you are out before lunch. Other times it can take days or weeks! Just relax, and bring some magazines. There will be lots of time waiting. After you do it once, you don't have to do it again for a few years!