Receiving a Jury Duty Summons: What to Expect Next

As a United States citizen, there are many liberties and freedoms that are afforded to a person which can be taken advantage of every single day. In return, citizens are simply asked to perform their civic duty to the systems that uphold democracy in the country. One such way this is done is through jury service. While jury duty tends to get an eye-roll and a frustrated sigh from the average person, it is an important part of the American justice system. Whether you have been summoned for jury duty before and simply forgot what to do or this is your first time being summoned, the following guide will walk you through next steps to take. 

What is Jury Duty?

For those who have never been summoned before, the idea of jury duty can be confusing, especially when you receive a random summons notice in the mail. In short, jury service, as outlined by the United States Courts, is a unique way for Americans to participate in the legal process of the United States. Every district court in the U.S. randomly selects citizens’ names from a list of registered driver’s license and voter forms for residents of that district. 

Those who are selected and qualified will show up to a court in their district where they will go through the jury selection process (outlined below). Those who make it past will have an opportunity to serve as a juror and listen to a court case in order to help make a verdict on which side will be the winner. Serving on a jury is a civic duty that underscores the democratic foundation of the U.S. justice system. Questions often arise regarding documentation, especially when distinguishing between exemplified vs certified documents, which may be required during certain legal procedures. It’s important for potential jurors to understand their responsibilities and the legal framework supporting their involvement.

Who is Eligible for Jury Duty? 

The bar to qualify for a juror is intentionally low as the idea is for every American citizen to have the opportunity to participate in the legal system. The primary requirements include:

• A prospective juror must be at least 18 years old
• A prospective juror must be able to understand and speak basic English
• A prospective juror must be a resident of the county in which they are summoned
• A prospective juror must be a U.S. citizen
• A prospective juror can’t have served on a jury in the last 12 months
• A prospective juror cannot be incarcerated in a prison or jail
• A prospective juror cannot have been convicted of certain crimes or be a registered sex offender

The only people who are not eligible for jury service in addition to the above, depending on your state, are military personnel, elected officials, those above or below the age limit, medical workers, police, firefighters, and applicable disabled persons. 

5 Steps to Take After Receiving Your Summons

Naturally, receiving a summons in the mail should be something that spark immediate action on behalf of the recipient. The following five steps are the best actions to take in order to get a handle on the situation: 

1. Respond to the summons

First and foremost, respond to the summons you have received to confirm that you have actually gotten it. The instructions for how to do this will almost always be directly on the summons itself and it will either involved registering on the jury service online portal or calling a phone number. This is an important part of the process as they will want you to also complete an orientation to determine if you are qualified to serve. 

2. Inform your employer that you may be serving

Even if you aren’t sure if you’ll have to report for jury duty, it’s always a best practice to inform your employer that there is a chance you will not be able to make it to work in the near future. Jury duty is always a valid excuse for missing work, and you cannot legally be fired for it, but it’s worth noting that not all states mandate employers to pay you for your time away. 

3. Call in and show up

The night before your jury service you will need to call in to see if you have to report to the courtroom the next day. In some cases, you may simply get a message that states your service is complete, in which case you are done. However, if you are called to serve then the message will state when and where for the following day. 

4. Be honest during the questioning

During the selection process, it’s important to be completely honest with the attorneys who are speaking with the jurors. Don’t try to say the right thing to get out of serving, as being dishonest in court can also result in a contempt of court charge. Simply state the answers when you are asked a question.

5. Request proof of service 

Finally, at the end of your service it is important to request proof of the service itself. Some employers demand to see this in order to be sure that you were actually serving, which is why this is an important step to keep in mind. 

The Penalties for Skipping Jury Duty

While you may have one of many valid excuses that can free you from jury duty, it’s worth noting what happens if you skip when you don’t actually have a valid excuse. The primary punishment, which may or may not be pursued, is being held in contempt of court, which can result in a fine that varies from state-to-state, incarceration, or both. 

Perform your civic duty today

While serving jury duty may lead to certain stress knowing that work is piling up while you are in court, rest assured knowing that you can’t legally lose your job for serving as a juror. In the event you do have an applicable excuse for why you are missing jury duty, don’t hesitate to contact jury services as soon as possible to inform them of this excuse and to confirm that it is acceptable for you to miss. Never assume that you are allowed to miss without informing jury services, as it’s possible, albeit unlikely, that you could be held in contempt of court.