Jury duty is a civic duty that involves serving on a jury to decide the facts of a case in accordance with principles of the law as explained by a judge. Here is what you can expect when you are called for jury duty:

• Reporting: You must report to the address indicated on the jury summons at the time stated. You will sign in and show some identification, then get sent to a large jury assembly room big enough to hold a couple of hundred potential jurors.

• Jury Selection: At some point, youll get called into a courtroom with a group of other potential jurors. The judge will explain the basic background of the case, such as whether its a criminal or civil trial and what the charges are or what the dispute is about. You will also be introduced to the parties involved and their attorneys. You might be asked to fill out a questionnaire with some basic information about yourself, like your age, occupation, education, family, and interests.

• Serving on a Jury: Upon reporting for service, jurors can expect to serve for the duration of one trial. If by the end of your first day of service you have not been empaneled on a jury and are not in a courtroom for jury selection, you will be excused from further service. Jurors are usually given a break in the morning, at lunch, and in the afternoon. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the courthouse and still others that are a short drive away. Jurors are also welcome to bring their lunch. The court provides soft drinks for the jurors, as well as coffee and sweet rolls or doughnuts in the morning.

• Excuses: If you believe jury duty will cause you undue hardship, the court will look at your job, physical health, family situation, and military status to determine whether you must serve. You can request to postpone jury duty, request a location change, or request to be excused due to hardship (medical, out of country, non-citizen, full-time student, deceased, total disability, etc.) .

• Juror Pay: Jurors are paid for each day of service and may be eligible to receive reimbursements.

• Juror Scams: People are being targeted by scams threatening them with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service.

It is important to note that federal law prohibits employers from firing or disciplining employees because of their service as jurors.