How to Serve on a Jury
When you get the notice in the mail, you likely either dread having to serve jury duty or are anxious because you don't know what to expect. Horror stories abound about potential jurors sitting in the courtroom all day only to be dismissed. But chances are that some day you will have to serve, and when that happens, here's what you should do.
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Instructions
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Communicate with your employer. If you work outside the home, you need to let your boss know that you have to serve on a jury. Sit down with human resources and find out about your compensation while you're away from the office.
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Arrive for jury duty at the appointed time. Do your homework in advance by making sure you have the directions to the court house and parking instructions to avoid last-minute panic and stress. You need to hear all the evidence in the case and you definitely don't want to be the one to hold up the witnesses, attorneys and especially the judge.
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Keep the chit-chat to a minimum. You're there to provide a public service, not to expand your social circle or to improve your dating life. Give your full attention to the testimonies and evidence presented.
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Avoid discussions about the case. This means with everyone: family, friends, the attorneys, witnesses and other jurors. Stay away from any media coverage about the case by not reading the newspapers or watching the news.
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Be prepared to take notes. You may become overwhelmed by the number of witnesses testifying and by the whole trial process in general. Therefore, it might be a good idea to carry a small notebook and pen with you to court to jot down names and testimony details that you might forget during deliberation. Just be sure not to get so wrapped up in writing that you're not actually listening.
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Know what to expect from the judge, attorneys and witnesses. You may have seen countless courtroom dramas on television, but in reality, the players aren't as smooth and polished as actors. Don't go into jury duty thinking you're in the middle of an episode of Law & Order. These are real people with real stress and important jobs to do.
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Pay close attention to the judge's jury instructions. Once deliberations begin, you need to form your opinion of guilty or not guilty based on the evidence presented, not your personal feelings or the feelings of the other jurors. However, go into the deliberation room with a clear head and be open to what the jurors say. You may have missed something that they picked up on during trial.
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Tips & Warnings
Bring something to read or puzzles to keep you occupied during times when you have nothing to do.
Make sure that you get a good night's sleep every evening before you have to serve on a jury. It will help make the long day more tolerable and keep your mind sharp.
