9 Frequently Asked Questions About Jury Duty
Jury duty is one of the hallmarks of the American judicial system. Among other things, the Sixth Amendment guarantees individuals facing criminal allegations to the right to an impartial jury. This impartial jury is comprised by everyday American citizens, just like you, who have been called upon to serve as jurors.
If you have not yet been called for jury duty (or even if you have served before), you may have several questions about the process. This week, the attorneys at our general practice law firm in Camdenton MO are here to answer some of the common questions people have about jury duty.
Q: Is Jury Duty Mandatory?
A: Yes. If you have been called, participation is mandatory (unless you have been explicitly excused by the Court).
Q: What Happens To My Job While I'm On Jury Duty?
A: Employers are required to allow their employees to serve jury duty without having to use their vacation or sick leave. They are not required to pay you for your time, but they are required to allow you to fulfill your responsibilities.
Q: What Is The Dress Code?
A: There is not a specific dress code; however, we recommend dressing in business casual or business attire.
Q: What Happens If My Employer Threatens To Fire Me For Missed Time?
A: Employers may face legal consequences if they fail to allow their employees the time required to serve on jury duty. Consequences may include fines, community service work, and mandatory reinstatement of terminated employees.
Q: What If I Don't Show Up For Jury Duty?
A: If you have been summoned for jury duty, you are legally required to fulfill this obligation. If you fail to appear as directed, you may face affine or community service, or a combination thereof.
Q: How Does The Jury Selection Process Work?
A: The initial pool of potential jurors is pulled randomly from the lists of active registered voters. Depending on the sensitivity of the case in question, the initial pool may be thinned down to include only individuals whom the Court believes will be able to remain impartial.
Q: Will I Get Paid For Jury Duty?
A: Yes. You will be paid for fulfilling jury duty (unless you are currently employed by the federal government). The U.S. District Court pays a standard attendance fee of $40 per day of jury duty, plus the round-trip mileage from your home to the courthouse and any parking fees.
Q: What Requirements Must I Meet To Serve On A Jury?
A: In order to be eligible to serve on the jury, you must:
If you have not yet been called for jury duty (or even if you have served before), you may have several questions about the process. This week, the attorneys at our general practice law firm in Camdenton MO are here to answer some of the common questions people have about jury duty.
Q: Is Jury Duty Mandatory?
A: Yes. If you have been called, participation is mandatory (unless you have been explicitly excused by the Court).
Q: What Happens To My Job While I'm On Jury Duty?
A: Employers are required to allow their employees to serve jury duty without having to use their vacation or sick leave. They are not required to pay you for your time, but they are required to allow you to fulfill your responsibilities.
Q: What Is The Dress Code?
A: There is not a specific dress code; however, we recommend dressing in business casual or business attire.
Q: What Happens If My Employer Threatens To Fire Me For Missed Time?
A: Employers may face legal consequences if they fail to allow their employees the time required to serve on jury duty. Consequences may include fines, community service work, and mandatory reinstatement of terminated employees.
Q: What If I Don't Show Up For Jury Duty?
A: If you have been summoned for jury duty, you are legally required to fulfill this obligation. If you fail to appear as directed, you may face affine or community service, or a combination thereof.
Q: How Does The Jury Selection Process Work?
A: The initial pool of potential jurors is pulled randomly from the lists of active registered voters. Depending on the sensitivity of the case in question, the initial pool may be thinned down to include only individuals whom the Court believes will be able to remain impartial.
Q: Will I Get Paid For Jury Duty?
A: Yes. You will be paid for fulfilling jury duty (unless you are currently employed by the federal government). The U.S. District Court pays a standard attendance fee of $40 per day of jury duty, plus the round-trip mileage from your home to the courthouse and any parking fees.
Q: What Requirements Must I Meet To Serve On A Jury?
A: In order to be eligible to serve on the jury, you must:
- Be a resident of the state and county in which you are called to serve
- Not be a convicted felon
- Be able to understand, read, and speak English
- Be at least eighteen years old
- Be physically and mentally able to serve
Q: What Requirements Must I Meet While I Serve?
A: As you serve jury duty, you will be required to not discuss the details of the case with anyone else (including family members and other jurors). You must also avoid exposure to any and all media coverage regarding the case. Your primary responsibility is to make an impartial decision based solely off the evidence presented at the trial.
Thank You For Serving!
On behalf of all our Lake of the Ozarks attorneys, we want to take this opportunity to extend our deep gratitude to the men and women who have served (and continue to serve) as jurors in Camden County, MO. Our judicial system relies heavily on the support you provide, and we would not be able to provide our litigation services in Camdenton MO without your assistance. Thank you for taking the time to support our judicial system!
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
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Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020 GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
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