Recently, Dawn got summoned for jury duty. This is the first time that she has ever had to serve jury duty. I, on the other hand, have been summoned twice before for jury duty, therefore I know what to expect. Since I had been summoned before, Dawn was questioning me about what to expect, and it got her to thinking: wouldn’t it be great to write a blog post that would help others who have been summoned for jury duty for the first time to help them know what to expect? So, here it is. Hopefully, if you ever get summoned to appear for jury duty, this will help you.

1. Follow The Rules On Your Summons – It may be different in each state, or perhaps in each county, but herein Surry County, North Carolina, they give you a number to call on the Friday before you are scheduled to appear. If that is the case for you, definitely call the number as instructed. This number usually has a recorded message that lets you know if you indeed have to appear. If it is a civil court, then there is a good chance that the case will be settled before the court date.

The first time that I served, it was a civil case. I did have to appear, and we actually had to wait (standing, bleh) outside the courtroom for almost two hours before the bailiff came out and notified us that the case had been settled and we could all go home. But, if it is settled before the court date, then this phone call will save you an unnecessary trip to the courthouse. Also, the summons will tell you where and when to report.

2. Wear Appropriate Clothing – If you do indeed have to appear, don’t show up to the courthouse wearing a tank top, cut off shorts and flip flops. Remember, you will be appearing before a judge in their courtroom, and if they feel you are wearing something that is inappropriate or is “mocking the judicial system” then they could find you in contempt of court, which could result in a hefty fine and/or jail time! A suit and tie aren’t necessary, but a nice business casual appearance would be appropriate and keep you in the judge’s good graces.

3. Arrive At The Courthouse Early – Since you have never served jury duty before (and you have been summoned, which usually means you don’t have a criminal record and may never have had to appear in court before), then the chances are pretty good that you will have no clue as to where you need to report to on the first day. So, arrive early enough to get clear directions, and bring a copy of your summons with you. I am certain that in larger cities they have larger courthouses with several different types of court being held everyday, therefore you will need to get clear and precise directions as to which courtroom/jury room you will be reporting to. If you show the Clerk of Court a copy of your summons, then they will be better able to point you in the right direction. Remember, if you arrive late, you are again opening yourself up to a contempt of court citation.

4. Don’t Bring Weapons Or Cell Phones – I know that this one seems kind of obvious, but there are some boneheads out there that think they can carry their “piece” right into the courthouse (although there are signs outside the courthouse that clearly state “no weapons of any type allowed inside the courthouse”). Also, cell phones are a nuisance that can disrupt a court proceeding, so at least turn them off during court. The second time I served, one of the perspective jurors forgot to turn his/her cell phone off and it started ringing in the middle of court. Needless to say, they took a nice little chewing out from the bailiff, and were quite embarrassed I’m sure. So, just turn your cell phone off.

5. Check With Your Employer About Jury Duty Pay/Leave of Absence – It is illegal for an employer to terminate your employment for serving jury duty, however they do not have to pay you for serving jury duty. Each company has their own rules about pay for jury duty service. You do get paid by your state government for jury duty, but it is usually a very small amount, such as $20 a day, or something like that. Both times that I served, I had to supply a copy of my summons to the Human Resources department at work, and I was paid in full for the entire day of my service (although I only served about 4 hours total the first time, and about six hours the second time). I actually returned to work on both occasions, so I received double pay for that day, because I did not have to return to work, but I did anyway. So, yay for me! This could be the case for yourself, so just be sure to check with your Human Resources department before your service date to be clear on your company’s policy on jury duty pay.

6. Bring A Book Or Crossword Puzzles – Jury Duty is a lengthy process. You could be in court all day, or perhaps even several days. There will be delays in the court proceedings to hear motions from the attorneys and such, at which time the jury is usually sequestered inside the jury room. There is nothing wrong or illegal with bringing a book, some small knitting needles, or crossword puzzles to pass this time. You are usually asked not to discuss the trial during this time, so talking about the case should be avoided. You aren’t expected to just sit there like a bump on a pickle, either, so a good time-passer like a book is well within reason.

7. Don’t Expect To Be Sequestered – Most jury cases are resolved within a few days, and according to nccourts.org, sequestering is extremely rare. The O.J. Simpson trial was a rare exception, not the general rule. You should expect to return home at the end of every day. In most cases, service is over in two to three days at the most.

8. If You Cannot Serve, Make Sure You Have A Good Excuse – At the beginning of jury selection, the judge will hear excuses for those who feel that they cannot serve. Just because your Aunt Lucy is in the hospital is not a good excuse. However, on my second service, someone was excused because they were a resident of California and maintained a North Carolina address and Driver’s License (I think it was a CDL and they were a truck driver) for business purposes. He was able to prove such, and was therefore excused. Someone else tried to get excused because they had just recently got out of the hospital. They were not excused. It must be a really good reason to be excused from jury duty. However, if you cannot serve at the time that you are chosen, such as you have prior vacation plans, then the judge can give you a better time for you to serve. You aren’t excused from service, but you can have your service delayed. But, again, the excuse must be good and you must bring written proof.

9. Just Because You Are Summoned Doesn’t Mean You Will Serve – The selection process for jurors can drag on for a while. Attorneys for both sides and the judge must agree that you are right for the jury of the trial before you are selected. They may ask you several questions, some of them personal, before they make their determination as to whether or not you should be on their jury. And, if they reach twelve selected jurors and three alternates before your name is called, you are excused. And, in North Carolina anyway, you do not have to serve again for at least two years.

10. You Must Serve For The Length Of The Trial – If you are selected to serve on the jury, you will be required to serve the whole length of the trial, so be prepared. Unless there is some awful emergency, you cannot be excused during the trial. And, once the trial is over, be sure to pay a visit to the Clerk of Court’s office. They are supposed to give you a check for the amount of your service.

These are my tips for jury duty service. I hope you find them helpful if you ever get called for jury duty yourself. Jury duty is an important civic duty that we all have the responsibility to perform. Don’t take it lightly, and be the best juror you can be.

Do You Have Any Other Tips For Those Serving Jury Duty?