The day you arrive at the courthouse

You will check in at the juror assembly room or the location listed on your summons. Bring your summons, a photo ID, and proof of residency — the exact documents vary by court, so check your notice. You may wait anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours while the court processes everyone who showed up.

During this time, you will watch an orientation video or listen to a judge explain how the jury system works. The court will also collect any paperwork you filled out at home, usually a questionnaire about your background, work schedule, and any hardships serving would cause. Be honest on this form — it directly affects whether you are called into a trial.

If the court does not need jurors that day, you may be released after a few hours. Some courts call you back on a different date; others tell you that you have fulfilled your duty for that term. The summons will specify what happens next.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your summons, photo ID, and proof of residency to the courthouse on the date and time listed on your notice.
  • You will spend time in the juror assembly room while the court processes arrivals and may watch an orientation video.
  • If you are selected for a trial, you will go through jury selection (called voir dire), where attorneys and the judge ask you questions to decide if you are impartial.
  • During the trial itself, you will listen to evidence, take notes if allowed, and follow the judge's instructions about the law.
  • After the trial ends, you will deliberate with other jurors in a private room until you reach a verdict.

Jury selection and what attorneys are looking for

If the court needs jurors for a trial, you will be called into a courtroom for voir dire — the process where attorneys and the judge question potential jurors. This can last anywhere from an hour to a full day, depending on the case. You will sit in the jury box or in the gallery with other potential jurors while the judge and both attorneys ask questions.

The attorneys are not trying to trick you. They want to know whether you can be fair and impartial, whether you have personal experience with the type of case being tried, and whether anything in your life would make it hard to focus. Answer honestly. If you have a conflict — you know someone involved in the case, you have a medical appointment you cannot move, you are the sole caregiver for someone — say so. The judge can excuse you for cause, meaning a valid reason to leave.

After questioning, the judge and attorneys will dismiss some potential jurors. Some are excused for cause; others are dismissed through peremptory challenges, which means the attorney simply does not want them on the jury, without having to give a reason. If you are dismissed, you are done — you can leave the courthouse.

What happens during the actual trial

If you are selected, you will be sworn in and the trial begins. The judge will explain the case and the law you must follow. Then the prosecution (in criminal cases) or the plaintiff's attorney (in civil cases) will present their case first, followed by the defense. Each side calls witnesses, shows evidence, and makes arguments.

You will sit in the jury box and listen. In most courts, you can take notes during the trial — ask the judge or a court officer if note-taking is allowed. Do not talk to anyone about the case, not even other jurors, until deliberation begins. Do not look up information about the case on your phone or computer, and do not visit the location where the crime or accident happened. The judge will give you specific instructions about this.

The trial can last a few hours or several weeks, depending on how complex the case is. You will be told when to arrive each day and when you can leave. If the trial is long, you may be given a lunch break or sent home at the end of each day.

Deliberation and reaching a verdict

After both sides finish presenting their case, the judge will give you final instructions about the law. Then you and the other jurors will go into a private deliberation room. One juror will be chosen as the foreperson — usually by vote, though sometimes the judge appoints one.

In the deliberation room, you will discuss the evidence and the law with the other jurors. Your job is to listen to what others think, explain your own reasoning, and work toward a verdict that all jurors can agree on. In most criminal cases, the verdict must be unanimous — all jurors must agree. In many civil cases, the verdict can be reached by a majority or a supermajority, depending on the state and the type of case.

Deliberation can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days. You cannot leave the room until a verdict is reached or the judge declares a mistrial (which means the jury cannot agree and the case may be retried). Once you reach a verdict, you will return to the courtroom and announce it in front of the judge and the attorneys.

Your rights and protections as a juror

Your employer cannot fire you, threaten you, or punish you for serving on a jury. This protection is required by law in all states. If your employer retaliates against you for jury service, you have legal recourse — contact your state bar association or the court clerk for guidance on how to report it.

You are also protected from harassment or intimidation related to your jury service. If anyone tries to pressure you to vote a certain way or threatens you because of a verdict you helped reach, report it to the judge or the court immediately.

Jury duty is usually unpaid or paid very little — often between $15 and $50 per day, depending on the court and how long you serve. Some courts offer a small stipend for parking or meals. Check your summons for information about compensation in your jurisdiction.

When you can be excused or postponed

You can request to be excused or postponed if serving would cause genuine hardship. Common reasons include a medical condition, being the sole caregiver for a child or elderly parent, a prescheduled vacation, or a work commitment you cannot reschedule. You must request this in writing or by phone before your service date, using the contact information on your summons.

The court will not excuse you simply because you do not want to serve or because you think jury duty is inconvenient. However, if you have a real conflict, explain it clearly and provide documentation if possible — a doctor's note, a letter from your employer, or proof of travel plans. The judge will decide whether your reason is valid.

If you are excused, you may be asked to serve at a different time, or your duty may be complete. If you are postponed, you will be given a new date to report. Ignoring a summons or failing to show up without being excused can result in a fine or a contempt of court charge.

After the trial ends

Once the verdict is announced and you are dismissed, your jury duty is complete. You can discuss the case with other jurors, the attorneys, or the judge if you want to — this is optional. Some jurors want to talk about their reasoning; others prefer to move on.

You cannot be tried again for the same case, and your verdict is final (except in rare circumstances where a mistrial is declared). The judge's decision about sentencing in a criminal case or damages in a civil case is separate from your role as a juror.

If you served on a long or emotionally difficult trial, it is normal to feel drained or to have questions about what you witnessed. Some courts offer resources or support for jurors after a trial. If you need to talk to someone, ask the court clerk or look for a victim services office in your courthouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to jury duty?

Dress neatly and professionally — business casual or business formal is appropriate. Avoid very casual clothing like gym wear, tank tops, or clothes with offensive language or graphics. You are representing yourself in a formal legal setting, and your appearance affects how seriously others take you.

Can I bring my phone or laptop into the courtroom?

Most courts allow phones in the assembly room but not in the courtroom or deliberation room. Laptops are usually not allowed. Check your summons or ask a court officer when you arrive. During deliberation, you will not have access to phones or the internet — this is to prevent you from researching the case or the law on your own.

What if I cannot afford to miss work for jury duty?

Tell the judge during jury selection or in your written questionnaire. If you are selected for a trial, explain the financial hardship to the judge — they may excuse you or shorten your service. Some employers are required by law to pay you during jury duty; check your employee handbook or ask your HR department. If your employer does not pay and the court does not excuse you, you will receive whatever compensation the court offers, though it is usually small.

Can jurors talk to each other before deliberation starts?

No. The judge will instruct you not to discuss the case with other jurors until you are in the deliberation room. This ensures that everyone hears all the evidence before forming opinions. Talking about the case before deliberation can lead to a mistrial.

What happens if a juror gets sick during the trial?

If a juror becomes ill, the judge may declare a mistrial or, in some cases, replace the juror with an alternate juror who was selected during jury selection. Alternate jurors sit through the entire trial but do not deliberate unless needed. If you become ill during a trial, tell the judge or a court officer immediately.