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Simple English definitions for legal terms
jury duty
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A quick definition of jury duty:
Jury duty: When you are asked to go to court and help decide if someone is guilty or not. If you don't go, you might get in trouble. But if you have a good reason, like being sick or taking care of a baby, you can ask to not go. Sometimes you might not get picked to be on the jury, but if you do, you have to listen carefully to everything and be fair when you decide if someone did something wrong or not. You might get paid a little bit of money for doing jury duty, and your boss has to let you go to court if you get asked.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: An obligation to appear for jury service. This means that if you are summoned for jury duty, you have to go to court and be available to serve on a jury. If you don't show up, you could face penalties.
For example, in Washington state, if you are summoned for jury duty and you don't show up, you could be guilty of a misdemeanor. However, if you have a disability or other circumstances that make it difficult for you to serve on a jury, you can request accommodations or be exempt from jury service.
Once you are selected to serve on a jury, you will be responsible for listening to all of the evidence presented at trial and then asked to "determine the facts." This means that you will have to make a decision about whether the person on trial is guilty or not guilty.
People do not need any special knowledge or skills to serve on the jury, but they are expected to be honest and impartial during their deliberations. Jurors are usually compensated by an amount dependent on the state's law.
For example, in Washington state, jurors can be compensated between $10 and $25 a day with the possibility for mileage reimbursement. Employers are also required to allow sufficient leave of absence for employees summoned for jury duty.
Example: Sarah received a summons for jury duty in the mail. She was nervous about serving on a jury, but she knew it was her obligation as a citizen. She showed up to court on the day of her summons and was selected to serve on a jury for a criminal trial. She listened carefully to all of the evidence presented and then deliberated with the other jurors to determine the facts of the case. After several days of trial, the jury reached a verdict of guilty.
Explanation: This example illustrates the obligation to appear for jury service and the responsibility of jurors to listen to all of the evidence presented at trial and make a decision about the case. It also shows that jurors can be compensated for their time and that employers are required to allow sufficient leave of absence for employees summoned for jury duty.