| If you've never been called for jury duty, it can | | | | have for lunch and what time they are to report |
| be intimidating to show up on the appointed date | | | | each day. |
| and time to a room full of potential jurors. Once | | | | Most local trials only last a day. Some jurisdictions |
| you are there, the court personnel will explain | | | | have made the determination that if you are |
| their particular process, but in general here is what | | | | placed on a jury during the time you are "on call" |
| you can expect. | | | | you have satisfied your commitment and are |
| One of first major processes is called voir dire in | | | | released from coming back for a period of time. |
| which prospective jurors are asked about their | | | | During the actual trial, you'll sit in a designated box |
| background and experiences. The attorneys hope | | | | and are expected to listen to all the testimony |
| to discover jurors with biases which will prevent | | | | before forming an opinion. Some jurisdictions allow |
| them from making a fair judgment in the case | | | | note taking, put provide you the notebooks and |
| presented to them. For example, if the case calls | | | | pencils as you are entering and leaving the |
| for a decision regarding the death penalty, a | | | | courtroom and collect them as you leave. Some |
| number of people who feel they cannot make the | | | | jurisdictions are concerned people won't pay close |
| decision will likely be thanked for their time and | | | | attention and have disallowed note taking. |
| sent home. Some questions are more refined, | | | | A foreperson is either determined by the court or |
| such as whether or not the juror knows any of | | | | elected by the other jurors. This person is the |
| the defendants, witnesses, victims, experts or | | | | voice of the entire jury and will be responsible for |
| investigators in the case or if you happen to have | | | | communicating to the court via the bailiff if they |
| any special knowledge about the case not publicly | | | | can't hear the testimony, can't see the visual |
| known. | | | | evidence, it's too warm or cool, they need a |
| After these questions are asked and answered | | | | break, etc. The foreman is also responsible for |
| the jury pool is whittled down. The next step is | | | | passing along any information from the court to |
| the judge and attorneys for both sides of the | | | | the jurors. For example, making sure everyone as |
| case will decide upon the first twelve jurors who | | | | signed the attendance form and filled out |
| satisfy their requirements. If necessary, the court | | | | necessary paperwork to receive their daily |
| may decide it is prudent to select a number of | | | | stipend. |
| alternates. These back-ups are treated like jurors | | | | The jury only hears testimony and attorney |
| and listen to all the evidence presented in the | | | | comments which the judge deems appropriate to |
| case. They do not participate in the actual | | | | the case at hand. Any other information which the |
| deliberations unless something prevents one of | | | | judge feels will be prejudicial to the defendant will |
| the original jurors from completing their duty. | | | | be discussed while the jury is outside the |
| Once the jurors are selected, the judge will | | | | courtroom. These periods can be short or long |
| explain what is expected of them. For example, | | | | depending upon what is discussed. This is an |
| the jury members are not to talk to one another | | | | opportunity for jurors to talk amongst |
| about the case during the trial, they are not to | | | | themselves about anything not related to the |
| talk to anyone else about the trial until a verdict is | | | | case. This is also a good time for a juror to read |
| reached, and they are not to read newspaper | | | | the paper or book, balance a checkbook, set up |
| accounts, watch TV or search the Internet about | | | | doctor's appointments, etc. |
| anything having to do with the case. The judge | | | | While jury duty can be inconvenient, it can also be |
| will probably go over housekeeping items such as | | | | a wonderful educational experience in how the |
| if the juror needs a break during the trial, what | | | | judicial system really works. |
| they can bring into the jury box, how long they | | | | |