Jury Duty......?

Question

What's the purpose of it? Do you just show up in a courtroom and listen to a case?

Answer 1

The purpose of it is to be a good, patriotic citizen and participate in the judicial system, so that everyone gets a fair trial.

You show up, and they verify your identity. [Some places, like where I live, let you call in to see if you are called for that day. Some people never have to come in at all during their week.]
You wait around until you get assigned to a case, if you ever do.
If you are assigned to a case, you fill out a potential juror questionnaire.
Then they speak with each of the potential jurors in turn, in the courtroom, until they have a full jury - plus laternates - for the trial.
Normally then you are released for the week, but sometimes you may need to still be on call if there are other trials.

I was on an asbestos trial for 5 weeks in 1987. Other than that, I have either been struck from the jury by one of the lawyers, or never been called during my week.

This small amount of time (1987 being the exception) is a small price to pay to see that people get fair trials.

Answer 2

How jury duty is served varies greatly, depending on which county or state you're serving in.

Just being called for jury duty doesn't mean you'll actually serve on a jury. In every case that requires a jury, there is a selection process from a large number of potential jurors. Jurors are asked questions to determine if they might have some prejudice against the defendent or prosecutor. They also want people that fit a certain profile - race, gender, hobbies come into consideration. Having a certain job might disqualify you from serving as a juror on a particular case - lots of reason why someone may not be chosen. I recently was called for jury duty, but at the time I was a paralegal and I was immediately dismissed from consideration.

If you're selected for a jury, then you'll be given instructions on what to do. I did serve on a jury about 20 years ago and it was actually very interesting - I'm glad I got to do it.

Answer 3

It is your civic duty to sit on the jury and exercises one of our greatest rights under the United States Constitution.

When you show up, you will receive a jury number and sit in the jury pool. Then you will go to the courtroom, the judge will ask questions. Then the attorneys will ask their questions. Then, they select the jury. Then you listen to the case if you are selected. If not, you will then go home.

Answer 4

A large pool of potential jurors is called in. Lawyers choose a jury from among them. Most of the pool isn't selected and gets to leave. Either 6 or 12 remain to hear the case.
I served on a jury this summer. It was very interesting. We debated the evidence and arrived at a fair verdict.

Answer 5

you show up with others who have been contacted for it....then you are taken to courtrooms in groups and used in jusry selection. they ask questions and you are either selected or not...if not, you may be put into another room for jury selection or sent home

just hope u dont get grand jury duty...1 day a week for 14-24 weeks per year

Answer 6

Yes but you need to bring no prejudices into court listen to evrything that is said take notes and when the jury deliberates you can contribute to a fair verdict.

Answer 7

And adjudicate on it. In other words after listening to the evidence decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.