Jury duty is a civic duty that requires citizens to serve on a jury in a court of law. Here is what to expect for jury duty:
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Reporting: You will receive a summons in the mail that will tell you when and where to report for jury duty. You are expected to be at the courthouse on the date and time printed on the summons, unless you get a postponement or are excused by the court.
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Dress code: Jurors are expected to dress in a manner reflective of the formality of the court proceedings. Business casual attire is acceptable, but clothing such as tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops are not appropriate.
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Selection process: When a jury is needed for a trial, a group of qualified jurors who reported to court in response to the jury summons is taken to the courtroom where the trial will take place. The judge and attorneys ask the potential jurors questions, general or related to the specific case before them, to determine their suitability to serve on the jury. This process is called voir dire, which typically results in some prospective jurors being excused, based on their answers, from serving in that trial. The attorneys also may exclude a certain number of jurors without giving a reason.
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Duration: The length of jury duty can vary depending on the case. It could be one day or several weeks.
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Penalties: If you do not show up for jury duty, penalties can be imposed such as fines up to $1,000 or up to 6 weeks in jail.
Overall, jury duty is an important civic duty that helps ensure a fair and impartial trial. It is important to show up and be honest during the selection process.
