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To be legally qualified for jury service, an individual must:

be a United States citizen;

be at least 18 years of age;

reside primarily in the judicial district for one year;

be adequately proficient in English to satisfactorily complete the juror qualification form;

have no disqualifying mental or physical condition;

not currently be subject to felony charges punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; and

never have been convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been legally restored)

There are three groups that are exempt from federal jury service:

members of the armed forces on active duty;

members of professional fire and police departments; and

"public officers" of federal, state or local governments, who are actively engaged full-time in the performance of public duties.

Persons employed on a full-time basis in any of these categories are barred from serving on federal juries, even if they desire to do so.

Excuses from Jury Service

Each of the 94 federal district courts maintains its own jury procedures and policies regarding excuses from jury service. Many courts offer excuses from service, on individual request, to designated groups of persons or occupational classes. Such groups may include persons over age 70; persons who have, within the past two years, served on a federal jury; and persons who serve as volunteer fire fighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.

The Jury Act also allows courts to excuse a juror from service at the time he or she is summoned on the grounds of "undue hardship or extreme inconvenience." The juror should write a letter to the clerk of court requesting an excuse with an explanation of hardship.

Excuses for jurors are granted at the discretion of the court and cannot be reviewed or appealed to Congress or any other entity.

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To be legally qualified for jury service, an individual must: be a United States citizen; be at least 18 years of age; reside primarily in the judicial district for one year; be adequately proficient in English to satisfactorily complete the juror qualification form; have no disqualifying mental or physical condition; not currently be subject to felony charges punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; and

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Trial Jury

A trial jury, also known as a petit jury, decides whether the defendant committed the crime as charged in a criminal case, or whether the defendant injured the plaintiff in a civil case.

Consists of 6-12 people.

Trials are generally public, but jury deliberations are private.

Defendants have the right to appear, testify, and call witnesses on their behalf.

Final outcome is a verdict, in favor of plaintiff or defendant in a civil case, or guilty/not guilty in a criminal case.

Grand Jury

A grand jury is presented with evidence from the U.S. attorney, the prosecutor in federal criminal cases. The grand jury determines whether there is "probable cause" to believe the individual has committed a crime and should be put on trial. If the grand jury determines there is enough evidence, an indictment will be issued against the defendant.

Consists of 16-23 people.

Grand jury proceedings are not open to the public.

Defendants and their attorneys do not have the right to appear before the grand jury.

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A trial jury, also known as a petit jury, decides whether the defendant committed the crime as charged in a criminal case, or whether the defendant injured the plaintiff in a civil case. Consists of 6-12 people. Trials are generally public, but jury deliberations are private.

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28 U.S. Code Chapter 121 - JURIES; TRIAL BY JURY

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There are two types of juries, trial juries, and grand juries. Trial juries are made up of 6-12 people and are sworn to give verdicts in civil and criminal cases of guilty or not guilty or in favor of the plaintiff or defendant. Grand juries are made up of 16-23 and determine whether there is probable cause to put someone on trial for a crime.

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Why should jury duty be taken more seriously?

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Why should jury duty be taken more seriously?

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As we saw in 12 Angry Men, a lot of times, people can not take jury duty seriously. But what people can fail to realize or simply not care about, is that in any case, a person's future is at stake. In 12 Angry Men it was not only the boy's future, but his LIFE, in the jurors members hands. Jury duty should not be taken lightly because it's simply not. Juries are a very serious, real role that U.S. citizens play in America's court system and should be treated as such.

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Being a juror is an important part of being an American, and not only represent a free, fair, and ordered court, but also country. Juries are crucial to the court system and help uphold justice.

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Jury summons come via mail, with a questionnaire for the potential jury member.

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Jury Duty is when a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 is summoned by a state of federal court to potentially serve on a jury.