First time jury duty after becoming citizen

[new68 25]

Took my oath earlier this year (few months ago)now received a summons for jury duty.  Anything to be careful about while filing out the jury questionnaire(as a naturalized citizen)? What is the experience like? Thanks. 

[JeanneAdil 7,414]

just answer the questionaire honestly/ u are allowed to put i don't know if that's the case like if it asks about a specific law and u don't understand , say so . the court will explain all to u in requards to the law and what you need to know to reach a decision

 

just for info 

not only is the process different state to state but county to county within a state

 

in NY i served  and no quesionaire  (civil case suing one party for an accident)

in Ga a 2 page simple quesionaire (grand jury)

in Tn  a long one for a murder / rape trial and they wanted to know if i heard of the case and formed an opinion 

 

so state cases ,  civil, criminal, and whether its state or federal have differnent policies for a questionaires

and some only use it to process data following a case

[TBoneTX 48,763]

Congratulations on your oath!

 

50 minutes ago, new68 said:

Anything to be careful about while filing out the jury questionnaire

Look carefully for any exemptions for which you might qualify -- child or elder care, difficulty understanding English, and others.  Check the box by any that apply, and you should be excused.  Keep a copy of whatever you submit!  It's best to return your form (with exemptions or not) promptly, by e-mail scan or fax.

54 minutes ago, new68 said:

What is the experience like?

Others here may vehemently disagree, but I consider jury duty to be close to hell on Earth.

 

Very generally:

If you have no exemptions or disqualifications, you'll receive a date on which to report to court.

Everyone's name will be called, and bench warrants issued for those who are absent.

You'll be called as part of a jury pool for a civil or criminal case.

If your juror number is low, you have a higher chance of being selected as a juror for the trial.

Lawyers for both parties will ask questions of jurors* to see who should be "stricken" from consideration.

     *The process is called voir dire.  Jurors with prejudices or conflicts of interest can be stricken.

If your number is not ultimately called to serve, you may go home.

If you're picked, the trial may be that same day or possibly the next day.

Regardless, you won't be called to serve again for some time (it varies; 1 to 3 years).

 

I've done everything in my power to be legitimately excused from service, and I've always been successful.

 

Others here will advise you further and perhaps otherwise.

[OldUser 11,166]

1 hour ago, new68 said:

Took my oath earlier this year (few months ago)now received a summons for jury duty.  

Congrats

 

1 hour ago, new68 said:

 Anything to be careful about while filing out the jury questionnaire(as a naturalized citizen)?

 

Sure, answer questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge

[new68 25]

5 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Congrats

 

Sure, answer questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge

One of the questions asked for occupation. The issue is that I'm not working right now but am starting a job in a week. Should I just say " currently not working but starting a new job soon". The date for the jury duty is Feb so I'll be working then.