Can I read a book during jury duty?

Please bring your Jury Summons with you when you report. You may also want to bring books, magazines or study materials with you. Since the courtrooms tend to be cool, you may also want to bring a sweater or light jacket with you.

What are 2 things a juror should never do?

Don’t lose your temper, try to bully, or refuse to listen to the opinions of other jurors. Don’t mark or write on exhibits or otherwise change or injure them. Don’t try to guess what might happen if the case you have heard is appealed.

What are some valid excuses for getting out of jury duty?

Common Effective Jury Duty Excuses

• Extreme Financial Hardship.
• Full-Time Student Status.
• Surgery/Medical Reasons.
• Being Elderly.
• Being Too Opinionated.
• Mental/Emotional Instability.
• Relation to the Case/Conflict of Interest.
• Line of Work.

Can you take notes as a juror?

Most judges allow jurors to take notes during trials. Once those notepads are handed out, though, the jurors are largely on their own in terms of determining what to write down and when. Ideally, jurors will write down any note that they feel they’d like to remember later when they deliberate.

Can sequestered jurors read books?

Outside of court hours, they must avoid reading or watching anything to do with the trial — and during the selection process and again at the start of the proceedings, Cahill repeatedly told them their role is not to investigate the case on their own, but to weigh the evidence they hear during the trial.

What should jurors not do?

During Deliberation X Don’t lose your temper, try to bully or refuse to listen to the opinions of other jurors. X Don’t draw straws, flip coins or otherwise arrive at your verdict by chance, or the decision will be illegal.

Can a juror ask questions?

Most judges will NOT allow a juror to ask witnesses questions. Of those that do, there is a specific procedure the judge will require to ask a question. Usually, if a juror has a question for a witness, the judge will instruct the juror to write the question down.

Where do jurors stay during a trial?

In jury trials, judges sometimes choose to sequester the jurors, or place them beyond public reach. Usually the jurors are moved into a hotel, kept under close supervision twenty-four hours a day, denied access to outside media such as television and newspapers, and allowed only limited contact with their families.

What should you bring to jury duty?

What you should bring to jury duty — On the day of jury duty, you can bring: Food and drinks. You will likely sit and wait for a while, and lunch break isn’t until 1 pm.

What kind of questions do they ask in a jury trial?

Answer questions. At random, the judge will call up a panel of jurors to sit in the jury box to be asked questions. The judge will ask you if you can be fair and impartial to both parties. The lawyers may also have questions. It is hard to know in advance what lawyers will ask, but you should always answer honestly.

How do I find out if I have to go to jury duty?

You can also get jury duty updates by phone — You can find out if you need to appear for jury duty on the day before you’re scheduled to serve by calling the Juror Line listed on your Reminder Notice after 3 p.m. Food and drinks. You will likely sit and wait for a while, and lunch break isn’t until 1 pm. A cell phone and/or laptop.

Can I postpone my jury duty?

If you need to postpone your jury service, you should have requested postponement before the day of your jury duty. Listen to the trial. Based on your answers during “voir dire,” the attorneys will decide whether or not to strike you. If both sides allow you to remain, then you will be part of the jury unless the judge thinks you cannot be fair.