Jury Duty: Answering Your Summons

Jury duty is something that most Americans will have to go through at some point in their life. However, it doesn’t need to be dreaded. In fact, there’s a good chance that you might not even have to serve.

The Process

It all starts with that letter in your mailbox. You’re just going about your day and taking one thing at a time. Then you see an odd letter mixed in with all of your other mail. You then realize what the letter means, and open it up. The jury duty letter then explains when you’re summoned and where to go. In some cases, you might have a free bus pass to take you to the courthouse.

Keep in mind that you might not even have to bother with your jury duty summons at this point. In the letter, you will be able to check off excuses as to why you can’t serve on a jury. If you’re in high school, college, have a criminal record, mental disability; etc then you simply place a mark in the small box next to the excuse that you’ve chosen. Simply put the letter in the envelope that came with your jury summons, and mail it at your local post office. And then you’re done.

If you are not immediately exempt, then you will have to go to your summons. Most of the time, you will have about a two week notice as to when your jury duty begins. This gives you time to tie up loose ends, and to find out exactly where your local courthouse is. You really should do a practice drive to the courthouse because parking can be limited in many places, and you don’t want to be late. Judges don’t like it when you’re late.

As for the parking, it’s probably going to cost you. In many areas, you may have to pay around five to fifteen dollars a day for parking. Though, sometimes, your local courthouse may provide you with cheaper parking.

On your jury summons date, you will probably have to be at the courthouse early in the morning. If you arrive early, you can avoid the long lines. Some people think that if you arrive really late, then you are less likely to be picked. Don’t believe them. The jury duty process is completely random. You can be the first one at the courthouse, and you might not be called. Or you might be the last one to show up, but you’ll be called up first.