How to Report for Jury Duty for a Criminal Trial

All able citizens over the age of 18 are eligible for jury duty in the United States. If you are summoned for jury duty in a criminal trial, it is your legal responsibility to report to the appointed court at the indicated time unless you qualify to be excused. Read these steps to learn more.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Summons for jury duty

1. Read the jury summons information you received in the mail. Typically, you must complete, sign and date a form. Retain your portion of the included information and mail your filled-out form back within the specified time frame, usually 10 business days.

2. Report to the indicated court at the appointed day and time. Bring something to read or while the time away, because the jury selection process for a criminal trial can take a great deal of time. You may wait for hours before a courtroom calls you.

3. Know that you are legally obligated to participate if you are chosen for the final 12-member jury in a criminal trial. Check to see if postponement is an option in your jurisdiction if you have mitigating circumstances that will make your jury appointment difficult to honor.

4. Be aware that payment for jury duty is a state or local matter and can vary from place to place. Some jurisdictions offer a mileage bonus for persons who must travel considerable distances to serve on a jury. Some labor unions also have provisions for your employer to pay for the difference between your usual salary and the jury duty wage.

5. Remember that your employer is legally obligated to give you time off to participate in jury duty. Your boss cannot discipline or fire you for missing work because you responded to a jury summons.

6. Refrain from discussing the case with anyone, even close relatives or loved ones, for the duration of the criminal trial.

7. Contact an attorney if you are summoned to appear in court due to a failure to report for jury duty. Your local Jury Commissioner's Office will handle postponement and excusal requests.

8. Learn more about the technical aspects of jury duty at the U.S. Courts Federal Judiciary Web site (see the Resources section below).

Tips & Warnings

• You are legally entitled to be excused from jury duty if you are not physically or mentally capable of serving. Many jurisdictions also have provisions to allow for postponement of jury duty.

• Know that you may be held in contempt of court if you fail to report for jury duty. If you do so, you typically must appear before a judge and explain yourself. Fines and jail sentences are among the potential penalties.