is it mandatory to go to jury duty?

Answer 1

yep ..

Answer 2

Yes, I believe it is. It's your civic duty.
In Canada you can fill out a form "Application to be Excused" if you are ill or if serving on a jury will cause you hardship. You must have a medical note and a valid reason for the hardship.
In the US you can ask for a postponement or you can be disqualified for the following reasons;
you cannot speak or understand English, you cannot serve because of a physical or medical disability (you must provide a letter from your doctor), you are 70 years old or older and do not want to serve, you already spent a day serving jury duty in state court during the three previous years OR you are scheduled to serve in the near future, you have been convicted of a felony during the past seven years OR you are a defendant in a felony case now, you are in jail or prison, you are a State Senator or Representative and the legislature is in session, you are a judge of the Superior Court, Appellate Court or Supreme Court, or you are a federal court judge or you are not a citizen of the United States.
Each State has specific rules and a website that lists them.

Answer 3

Yes, unless you have a valid excuse to not go such as you are the primary caretaker of someone, or you stay at home with a child and finding a sitter would be too much of a challenge considering you don't know how long the trial would last. If you look on the back of the jury duty form you get in the mail, it describes a few of the exemptions.

Answer 4

It is mandatory that you reply. Whether or not you are chosen or have a good excuse to not be in attendance is another thing. I have been called up for a couple of jury duty assignments. Only problem is that being a police officer seems to get you excused when it is a criminal trial. I also was called for one when I was in college, my reporting week was during finals, my professors wrote letters explaining that they would not give me a makeup exam which then excused me. I honestly wish that I would be allowed to be in a jury at least once.

Answer 5

Yes, when you receive the letter informing you that you have been selected to serve on a jury, it is required that you complete the information and return it by the stated deadline. In our state, this form allows the potential juror to indicate the dates that he or she has out-of-town commitments or has a vacation planned. This is so that the court system can have a pool of potential jurors for the selection process.

In our state, it states on the form that if you fail to respond, you may be subject to arrest.

In the weeks that follow, you will be contacted by letter (usually) to let you know when you should report to the court. Of course, this means that a trial that requires a jury has come up in the court system. You will be among other citizens who will be asked questions by attorneys for the defense and the prosecution. The judge might also invite potential jurors to state any reason(s) they believe they should be excused from serving on a jury at that time.

Whether you are actually selected to serve on a jury depends on many factors. Many times folks get called to report for jury selection and then then a few days before they are informed that the parties have decided to settle the case out of court--so you don't even have to report to the court office.

Serving on a jury gives one a lot of incredible insight into the way our justice system works. And, as I learned in typing class " It is the duty of all good men (and women) to have to work for jury pay!" Good luck and Best wishes!

Answer 6

Yes, you could go to jail if you don't show up. If you look at your jury summons it gives the only ways you can miss on the back...ie...if you are a student full-time and can't miss school, or if you work full time and can't afford to miss any work, but you have to call the court and get it cleared with the clerk. I highly suggest doing it though, I actually served on one for 3 days and it was a great experience, I hope to do it again. =)

Answer 7

Yes. It is mandatory for this is an opportunity given to us by Constitution to serve the public.

Answer 8

Yes. You can call them if you cannot go and they should let you off. i was called but my boss didn't offer compensation for the days i would be gone. so i called them and told them that. they asked for my employers name and number and told me i didn't have to come in.
but if you just don't show up. they get kind of cranky about that. as in, it's against the law. so yes, unless you have a valid reason not to go and call to request not being there (and they say it's okay), it is mandatory.

Answer 9

If you are summoned, yes. Unless you are in the military and serving out of state, or a few other disqualificating things. It will tell you on the summons who to call if you think you cannot go for some reason.

Answer 10

Yes, as everyone says, it is mandatory unless you have some sort of exemption. I don't believe reading and writing are requirements. They are not requirements to vote, for example, as far as I know.

Answer 11

yes. unless you can prove you have a medical condition or something else the judge or prosecuter think will hender you from being on a jury