To reiterate: if given a summons by the court, in person attendance is mandatory (applies to all 50 states). After voir dire, if either the lawyer or judge has selected you as the juror and being presented with evidence relevant to the case: what types of cases were you assigned whilst being a part of the jury?

Also, what happens if the individual fails to willingly show up (non-excusals) in court on the appointed date when they’ve been handed a summons in the US? For reference, in my country where Jury Duty also exists: the offense for failing to show up in person incurs the equivalent of an ~800 USD fine.

  • SacralPlexus@lemmy.world
    32·
    6 days ago

    I was called once for a case where the defendant allegedly shot the victim (who survived). During selection process we all had to stand up briefly before the court and answer several questions. One of the questions was “What was your highest level of education?” which was particularly salient to me because I had finished medical school the previous year and was in the middle of my internship. So I paid attention to who had college/graduate degrees and what their majors were.

    Fast forward to time to break for lunch, after the attorneys had met with the judge briefly, and the judge announces that he is going to call out a list of names and wants those who are called to stand. I immediately notice that everyone being called is someone who didn’t go to college or anything beyond high school. At the end of the list the judge says “If you haven’t been called, you are dismissed from service.” So the lawyers had basically nixed everyone with any kind of education. I found the experience informative and disheartening.

    • MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      7·
      5 days ago

      I’ve been called for jury duty three or four times here in Scotland and only once got through to the selection process. The judge gave us a talk about our duties, and how we must say if we knew the defender. Then the clerk drew 15 names out of a big glass bowl (Scottish juries have 15 members) and the rest of us were dismissed. No challenges, no questions about education, nothing. Just 15 random people.