You arrive, check in, and wait in a jury assembly room
When you arrive at the courthouse on your assigned date and time, you go to the location listed on your summons — usually a specific courtroom or jury assembly area. Bring your summons, a photo ID, and proof of residence. Check in at the desk, and a clerk will verify your information and give you instructions about where to sit.
Most of your first day is spent waiting. You may watch an orientation video about how the court system works, or you may simply sit in a large room with dozens of other jurors. Bring something to read or work on, because wait times vary widely depending on how many trials are scheduled that week. Some people are dismissed the same day; others wait several days before being called to a courtroom.
During this time, court staff may ask you to fill out a juror questionnaire — a form with questions about your job, your background, whether you know anyone involved in the legal system, and whether you have strong opinions about certain topics. Answer honestly. These forms help lawyers and judges decide who should sit on which cases.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your summons, photo ID, and proof of residence to the courthouse on the date and time listed.
- You will spend most of your first day in a waiting area; bring something to occupy your time.
- You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your background and beliefs — answer truthfully.
- If you are called to a courtroom, you will participate in jury selection, where lawyers ask questions to decide whether you should sit on the case.
- If selected, you will hear evidence, listen to arguments, and vote with other jurors to reach a verdict.
Jury selection: lawyers and the judge ask you questions
If you are called to a courtroom, you enter the jury box or sit in the gallery with other potential jurors. The judge explains the case in general terms — what it is about, who the parties are, how long the trial will last. Then lawyers for each side ask questions. This process is called voir dire, and it can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days depending on the case.
Lawyers want to know whether you can be fair and impartial. They ask about your job, your life experience, whether you have been in similar situations, and whether anything about the case might make it hard for you to judge it fairly. They may ask whether you have strong feelings about certain topics — for example, in a drunk driving case, they might ask whether you or someone close to you has been affected by alcohol-related accidents.
Answer questions directly and honestly. If something would genuinely make it hard for you to be fair — because of a personal experience, a financial stake in the outcome, or a conflict with someone involved in the case — say so. Lawyers can remove jurors they believe cannot be impartial. The judge can also remove you if you have a valid reason to be excused, such as a medical condition or a severe hardship.
If you are selected, the trial begins
Once 12 jurors and usually one or two alternates are chosen, the trial starts. The judge gives instructions about the law and how you should think about the evidence. Then each lawyer gives an opening statement — a summary of what they believe the evidence will show.
Next, witnesses testify. The lawyer for one side asks questions first, then the other lawyer cross-examines the witness. You listen and take notes if the judge allows it. Physical evidence — documents, photographs, objects — is shown to you. You may be asked to handle evidence or look at it closely.
Throughout the trial, the judge may give you instructions about the law. Pay attention to these instructions; they tell you how to think about the evidence and what the law requires. If you do not understand something, you can ask the judge for clarification during a break.
You cannot discuss the case with anyone
While the trial is happening, you must not talk about the case with other jurors, with people outside the courtroom, or even with your family at home. This rule applies even during breaks and lunch. Do not read news articles about the case, search for information online, or visit the location where the events happened. Do not contact any of the people involved in the case.
The reason for this rule is that your verdict must be based only on the evidence presented in court, not on outside information or conversations. If you break this rule, it can result in a mistrial, which means the trial is cancelled and may have to start over.
If another juror tries to talk to you about the case, politely decline and tell the judge. If you accidentally learn something outside the courtroom that relates to the case, tell the judge immediately.
Closing arguments and jury instructions come before deliberation
After all the evidence is presented, each lawyer gives a closing argument. They summarize the evidence, explain how it supports their side, and ask you to rule in their favor. The judge then gives final instructions about the law and how you should reach your verdict.
The judge will explain what the burden of proof is — in criminal cases, the prosecution must prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt," while in civil cases, the standard is usually "preponderance of the evidence," meaning more likely than not. The judge will also explain what elements the plaintiff or prosecution must prove, and what the law says about specific issues in the case.
Listen carefully to these instructions. If you do not understand something, ask the judge to repeat it. You cannot change the law or decide that a law is unfair and ignore it — your job is to apply the law as the judge explains it.
Deliberation: you and other jurors discuss and vote
Once the judge finishes instructing you, you go to the jury room with the other jurors. A court officer locks the door, and you are not allowed to leave until you reach a verdict or the judge declares a mistrial. In most cases, you elect a foreperson — one juror who leads the discussion and later announces the verdict in court.
You discuss the evidence, the judge's instructions, and what you think happened. You may disagree with other jurors, and that is normal. The goal is to reach a verdict that all jurors can agree on. In most criminal cases, the verdict must be unanimous — all 12 jurors must agree. In some civil cases and in some states, a verdict can be reached by a smaller majority, but the judge will tell you what is required.
If you cannot reach a verdict after a reasonable amount of time, you tell the judge. The judge may give you additional instructions or send you back to deliberate more. If you still cannot agree, the judge may declare a mistrial, and the case may be retried with a new jury.
You announce the verdict and are dismissed
Once you reach a verdict, you return to the courtroom. The foreperson reads the verdict aloud — guilty or not guilty in a criminal case, or liable or not liable in a civil case. The judge thanks you for your service, and you are dismissed. You are free to leave and go back to your regular life.
After the trial ends, you can talk about the case if you want to. Some jurors choose to speak with lawyers or the parties involved; others prefer not to. You are under no obligation to discuss your deliberations or explain how you voted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot take time off work?
Tell the judge or court staff before the trial starts. Explain your situation — that your job does not allow unpaid leave, that you are self-employed, or that missing work would cause serious financial hardship. The judge can excuse you or postpone your service to a later date. Bring documentation if you have it, such as a letter from your employer.
Can I be fired for serving on a jury?
No. Federal law and the laws of most states prohibit employers from firing, threatening, or punishing an employee for jury service. If your employer retaliates against you, you may have grounds to file a complaint with your state labor department or to pursue a lawsuit. Keep records of any negative treatment.
Do I get paid for jury duty?
Most courts pay jurors a small amount — typically between $15 and $50 per day, depending on the court and the length of service. Some courts pay nothing for the first few days. The amount is usually not enough to cover lost wages, but you may be able to ask your employer to pay you during jury service, or to deduct the lost income on your taxes.
What happens if I do not show up?
If you ignore a jury summons, the court can hold you in contempt, which can result in a fine or jail time. If you have a legitimate reason you cannot attend, contact the court before your date and explain. The court may excuse you or reschedule you for a later date.
Can I be removed from a jury after I am selected?
Yes. If you become ill, if a family emergency arises, or if something happens that makes it impossible for you to serve, tell the judge immediately. The judge can excuse you and seat an alternate juror in your place. If the trial has already started and you are excused, a mistrial may be declared.