What should i wear for jury service

If the trial duration causes any personal hardships for you, please inform the judge of your concerns during the jury selection process. In some cases, you may receive a one-time deferral and instead serve during a future month. Even if deferred, you will still be required to appear at a later date. You can receive reporting instructions by either calling the Jury Information Line at , or by checking My Reporting Status from our website.

Either way, you will need your nine-digit participant number and zip code. After check in, you will be directed to a courtroom. Once all jurors arrive, the judge will inform you about the case, the parties involved, and will swear you in for duty. After swearing in, a process called voir dire will begin. This is a process where the judge and attorneys will ask questions to you and other members of the jury panel so that they can make sure the final jurors will be fair and impartial.

Questions may include details about your profession, prior jury service, knowledge of the case or defendant s , personal interests in the outcome of the trial, or about your opinions or experiences. This selection process will vary depending on the case.

Generally, jury selection begins at approximately a. If you are not selected for jury duty you will be released for the day but will need to continue calling the Jury Information Line each week until your designated term is over. If you are selected for jury duty, the trial will begin and the judge will provide additional instructions for you. A petit jury is what you traditionally think of when serving on a jury.

This form is used to decide facts in civil and criminal trials. The petit jury listens to evidence and arguments presented by both parties during a trial and returns a verdict. Include any changes in your personal information when completing your questionnaire. Incorrect information may cause delays in receiving important jury notices or your payment after you complete your jury service. Iowa citizens who receive a summons for jury service should complete a Juror Questionnaire and return it to the court within ten 10 days from receipt of the summons for qualification determination.

You can complete the questionnaire online, or you can request a paper questionnaire by calling the general information number on your summons. The website allows you to respond to your summons for jury service online, and also allows you to make changes, request a postponement, and update your contact information.

Click Complete Questionnaire Online to begin completing and submitting your questionnaire online. Further instructions on how to complete and submit your questionnaire to the court will appear within the online Juror Qualification Questionnaire service.

Internet Explorer is not supported by the online jury questionnaire. Please use another reliable browser to complete the forms. If you do not wish to use this website or do not choose to download one of the recommended browsers, call the general information number on your summons and request a paper questionnaire.

Example of paper questionnaire you will receive after calling the general information number on your summons Not for Official Use. There are no automatic excusals from jury duty. If you are summoned you must serve on jury duty unless you are disqualified or excused by the court for one of the following reasons:. If you have questions relating to your jury service, check the frequently asked questions FAQs tab on this page.

These questions are asked on the questionnaire because they are related to your eligibility to serve on a jury and provide the information that attorneys commonly seek during the jury selection process. The length of jury service depends on the county in which a juror lives, but cannot exceed three months.

Jurors receive a summons that tells them to appear at the courthouse for jury service. When a jury case is called, the clerk of court randomly chooses potential jurors and sends them to a courtroom for interviews, known as voir dire [vwahr deer].

In the courtroom, you will learn more about the case and you will be questioned by the judge and attorneys so they may determine whether you are qualified to serve. Depending on the type of case or the procedures used in your county, you may be questioned individually or in a group. If you feel you should not serve as a juror, or if you know the parties, witnesses or attorneys involved in the case, tell the judge and attorneys as soon as possible.

During the interview, an attorney may challenge for cause if the attorney feels that a potential juror cannot be fair and impartial. The judge must then decide whether to allow the challenge and excuse the juror. Attorneys may also excuse a juror by using a peremptory challenge, which does not require the attorney to give a reason for excusing a juror.

Do not take offense if you are challenged. This is a normal part of voir dire. If you are not excused, you will become a member of the jury and will take an oath before hearing the case.

Alternate jurors may also be assigned to a case. When the jury has taken the oath, attorneys on each side of the case may make opening statements. Opening statements should not be considered evidence. The next step in the trial is the presentation of evidence. When the presentation is complete, the plaintiff or prosecutor will rest and the defense may then present its evidence.

A defendant is not required to present evidence. Evidence may include physical exhibits, such as photographs, objects, or documents. It can also include a spoken statement from someone under oath, also known as testimony. On occasion, people may testify before the trial begins. When the testimony is written down or videotaped and submitted to the court, it is known as a deposition. The judge will decide what evidence the law allows jurors to consider. Many things should not be considered as evidence, including the questions asked, statements, and arguments of the attorneys.

Testimony the jury has heard but the judge has ordered stricken from the record should not be considered. In fact, the jury must treat this testimony as if it was never given.

In addition, things that an attorney offers to prove but which the judge will not allow to be presented, should not be considered as evidence. It is important that jurors only consider evidence presented during the trial and approved by the judge when making their final decision. Do not conduct your own research by visiting the location referred to in the case, looking for additional information elsewhere including using electronic means , or using personal knowledge you may have about a person or place involved in the case.

During the trial, attorneys will often call witnesses to testify. Each witness is sworn in and promises to tell the truth. In civil cases, attorneys may require the opposing party or someone close to that party to testify. This person is known as an adverse witness.

When attorneys question their own witnesses, it is called direct examination. When attorneys question an adverse witness, it is called cross-examination. When direct examination is complete, the opposing attorney may cross-examine the witness. Following those questions, the first attorney can conduct redirect examination.

Recross examination may also be permitted. If a witness says something that fails to answer a question or should not be allowed in the case, the judge may strike the remark from the record. If this happens, you must disregard the testimony as if it was not given.

Court rules set the guidelines for conducting a fair and orderly trial. Sometimes, however, one of the attorneys may feel that the questions or evidence presented by the opposing attorney is improper or should not be considered by the jury.

If the judge considers the question improper or the evidence inadmissible, the objection will be sustained. Otherwise, the objection will be overruled. No matter how or when this occurs, do not feel slighted or attempt to guess what is being discussed. Generally, the attorneys and judge are discussing legal matters about the case, covering sensitive matters beforehand to minimize the possibility of a mistrial, or clarifying issues that could lead to an appeal and possible retrial.

Jury service is one of the most important civic duties you can perform in this country. And so I really the opportunity to serve as a juror as an honor and a privilege.

I really wanted to show up putting my best foot forward. And as a fashion and style aficionado, that meant making sure that I was dressed appropriately for the courthouse. At the same time, I wanted to be stylish and well put together. Yes, there is a dress code for jury duty.

On the summons you receive from your local clerk of courts, you may find an indication of this. Shorts and flip-flops are not acceptable. Additionally, courtrooms tend to be cool and you may wish to bring a sweater or light jacket for your comfort. I was honestly taken aback by how inappropriately many men and women alike were dressed.

I saw the gambit — shorts, graphic t-shirts, even flip flops. I mean aside from the fact that it clearly says on the summons not to wear flip flops, why in the world you would show up to a courthouse in beach attire is beyond me — totally inappropriate for jury duty attire for men or women. There is no official dress code for jury duty. While you are not required to dress in business attire when reporting for jury duty, the Court does recommend it.

As a general guide, you should show respect for the court system and try your best to dress respectfully and conservatively. We want everyone in the courtroom to be focused on the facts, and not on your jury duty attire. For women attending court to serve jury duty, I would recommend wearing attire that covers their cleavage and shoulders. This would exclude halter tops, tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, strapless, or backless dresses.

If you wear a skirt or dress, I recommend a length that covers your sexy knees or hits just above. And if you decide to wear pants, as cute as your butt may be, your pants should not be skin tight as to intentionally show off your bum.

I would also recommend you wear comfortable and sensible shoes — low heels, kitten heels, boots, or ballet-type flats. To dress for jury duty, choose an outfit that's business casual, like slacks and a button-down shirt or a long skirt paired with a blazer. Avoid wearing clothes that have graphics, logos, or slogans on them. Also, make sure you're wearing closed-toed shoes. If you don't want to be selected, wear flashy clothes and accessories that will make you look unprofessional, like costume jewelry or a graphic t-shirt.

For tips on dressing comfortably for jury duty, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles.

Article Summary. Part 1. Read your court's guidelines. Every court should have guidelines that they provide to their jurors and juror candidates. You will be able to find it and FAQs online or in your jurist information packet. Be familiar with your guidelines. Stay professional. If you either want to look like a suitable candidate or you have already been selected to serve on the jury and are aiming to be jury foreman, you will want to look your best without looking flashy.

Be as comfortable as possible. Between either waiting for selection or courtroom proceedings and jury deliberation, you will likely be in your outfit for quite some time. Dress comfortably.

Wear seasonal clothing, carry layers if necessary, and make sure that your socks and shoes don't pinch or constrict. Leave beachwear at home. Flip-flops, tank tops, short skirts and shorts are generally frowned on. In some locations you will be asked to leave and return at a later day when you are dressed appropriately. If you wear something that doesn't fully cover your shoulders, bring something to layer on top just in case.

Dress business casual at a minimum. While you can dress more formally if you'd like, business casual is a must, especially if you are looking to get selected or given a leadership role.