hello, what can I expect at Jury Duty?do I have to go all dressed up?

Question

thanks everyone for your responses!! :] really appreciate it

Answer 1

dress as you want to present yourself. I've never been so don't know what to expect but most people who get called leave that morning. I would be comfortable but professional looking.

Answer 2

Assuming you actually get called to go in.. definitely show up early on the date that you're assigned to go. Being late can get you counted as absent, and that can earn you a ticket. Why should you have to pay just for being late?

Don't bring anything besides yourself into the building where the jury process takes place. They may tell you to empty out your pockets and any purse/bag/etc you're carrying, so the less you bring in, the better.

Most courthouses use metal detectors, x-ray machines and do personal searches, so don't wear lots of jewelry and don't bring lots of credit cards or cash. Obviously do not bring weapons of any kind to the courthouse. DO bring personal identification and some money in case there's a chance to buy lunch.

Dress normally and comfortably -- doesn't have to be fancy, but it does have to be presentable. You can be cited for contempt of court if you come in wearing daisy dukes and a bikini top with flip flops or crazy torn up jeans.

A Grand Jury decides whether or not cases go to jury trial. That is an all-day thing and is kinda fun -- you just hear the facts and everybody votes yes or no.

If you're in the regular jury section, you will be interviewed by prosecution and defense counsel. Do not give crazy answers to questions, and do not lie. If you don't know something, say you don't know. Counsel for both sides will ask questions in order to determine whether you are a person they want to hear the facts of the case, and also whether you might have any prejudices which could make you ignore the facts of the case. Most interviews are pretty short and to the point.

While you're waiting to be interviewed, you will sit in a waiting room. They frown on cellphones, backpacks, books, food, etc so don't bring anything in that you don't want to lose. Maybe you can sneak some chewing gum if you're discreet about it.

That is about it. The waiting part can be boring, especially if there's no TV. Sometimes you have to wait in a court room and when you are in there there is NO TALKING when you're not on the stand. Some judges are nice but most are very no nonsense and don't want anything interfering with the jury selection process. Again, no need to get a contempt of court ticket for no good reason.

Answer 3

Hi, you've asked a very valid question. I work in litigation and have also been through the jury selection process. About the only thing you will deal with on day one of selection is waiting to be picked. And that process is only the beginning. An officer of the court will direct you and several other would be, potential jurors to a court room for a possible case, where judge and attorneys will be present for selection. Once selected, thats when everything really begins.

You don't have to be dressed up, just be yourself... casual or laid back... they never seem to mind. Once selected for a case - it should only last 3-5 days depending on the evidence being presented in the case so, it's not a long process.

Lastly, you will be treated with the highest level of respect. Our court systems need us as civil servants and they make it a point to treat us well for providing this service. However, don't expect no big $$$ - the respect and good treatment stops right here... LOL! Have fun, it'll be interesting...

Magicman (aka Rob)

Answer 4

I would suggest business casual. Do not wear jeans, shorts, or tank tops.

Basically you will sit in a room with all of the other members that have been called for jury duty. You will register and then receive a number. After that, you just wait. They call groups of people after that. If your number is called, you and the rest of that group will be escorted to a courtroom. At this point, the lawyers for both sides will ask you different questions. Sometimes you are directly asked a question, other times it is directed at the entire group. This process can take up to a couple days depending on the type of trial. Once the lawyers have finished asking their questions, they will select the jury and alternates that will sit on the trial. The rest of the group is then done and allowed to go home.

Answer 5

You don't need to be in a suit and tie, but don't be sloppy. Comfortable casual clothes work well. Jury Duty is mostly waiting around and answering a few questions. Bring a book to read while waiting to be called for a panel. When you go in for some questioning, there will be several more people than necessary and after the questions, the appropriate number of jurors will be selected. I made it through 3 sessions about 2 years ago without being selected for a jury and didn't even have to show up to the court to wait to be called the last week of my service.

Answer 6

this depends--ill assume you are asked to serve "PETIT" jury---if it's GRAND jury that's totally different(i'll explain below)

For PETIT jury you can dress as casually as you wish as long as you dont wear any clothing with sayings on it like "who gives a sh*t" that could be offensive

you'll be sat in a room with about another 100 or so ppl--the jury mgr will explain how it works---depending on where you live some counties have the 2 day/1 trial rule which is the max you can do--some have the 1 day/1 trial rule--sometimes they'll let you go home early the 1st or 2nd day once they have enough accepted jurors & alternates

but make sure to call the number on the card to see if you need to appear at all---i've been summoned 4x & each time it's been a bit different

Now, if it's GRAND jury you would have to serve i think it's 12 or 13 weeks in a row on the same day of the week--i've never done it so i'm not sure if there would be a dress code or if you can get excused

Answer 7

You don't have to go all dressed up but dress decently, with no shorts or rock slogan t-shirts or holey jeans.

You might end up doing a lot of sitting around, so take something to read.

They'll select a certain number of people to go into a room where they'll be asked questions to see if it sounds like they would be fair and impartial jurors. If you don't get picked, you'll be released for the day - if you are, then you'll be part of the jury for the trial.

Answer 8

jury duty is usually casual but not too casual... no shorts, bathing suits, tank tops.... if you are a girl slacks and an nice shirt will do.... if you are a guy pants and a nice shirt or polo will work...... the jury sumons that you got should give you the guidelines as to how to dress.

what to expect now that veries by county or state.... I am in LA county California and they have the one day one trial rule... but you may be on call for up to a week.... you have to register when you get the jury notice.... then they will tell you when to call to see if your group is being called in..... if your group does not report then you have to call in the next day to find out.... this could go on for a week and then you are done if you do not have to report....

now if you have to report you will go to the courthouse that they tell you to go to.... then you will be assembled in the jurry waiting room and they will do a role call and go over the rules of the jury duty..... then you will wait untill you are told to go to a courtroom.... there the jury will be selected.... each judge does things differently but they will ask if there are any reasons that you can not serve on the jury (seeing how the court that I have had to go to is one day one trial in is next to impossable to get off for just about any reason) if you are called into the jury box then the lawyers will ask you questions and then they will dismiss people from the jury..... then people will be called up to take their places... this will go on till a jury is picked.... if you are dismissed from the jury or they have the jury before you are called you then go back to the jury waiting room till you are called again or you are told that you can go home. once they tell you to go home your jury survice is done (if you are at a court that does one day one trial) if you are at a court that has your serve a period of time then you will have to either call in that evening to see if you have to report the next day or they will tell you to report the next day.

seeing how I have never served on a jury I can't tell you what happens if you make it on the jury.

Answer 9

When I went to jury duty it was a very relaxed atmosphere. I was in on grand jury, which may be different than what you are doing. I would imagine that a nice clean pair of jeans and a sweater, shirt or blouse would be fine. Just do not wear anything depicting the US Flag in a bad way. I know that is a no no....

Just relax.

Linda

Answer 10

Dress comfortably and bring a book to read. Usually you will have lots of time sitting around. Why get dressed up? You are not the one on trial. Maybe if you want to get out of jury duty you could not shower and wear smelly dirty cloths :-)

Answer 11

you can dress casual, listen with an open mind to everything that is said (oh you can take notes if you like) and when it time for you and the rest of the jury to reach a verdict. the 12 of you will go behind close doors and talk things out among you and agree upon without any shadow of doubt if the person is guilty or innocent.