Unfortunately, delays are an unavoidable part of our judicial system. Judges and lawyers will make every effort to keep the cases moving along so that individual jurors will not be required to wait unnecessarily, but there will be idle time caused by unavoidable delays and other court-related matters. Thus, jurors are encouraged to use that time to catch up on reading, letter writing, needlework or other activities which can be done with a minimum of noise. Generally, you will be permitted to return home at the close of the day's session of court. All persons who are summoned to serve as jurors must attend unless they have been excused by the court.
Attendance is essential to the fair administration of justice.
A person may be excused from jury service upon showing of hardship, extreme inconvenience, or public necessity. A person 70 years of age or older will be excused from jury service upon request. A person who has served as a juror in his or her county of residence is automatically excused from jury duty for one year from their last day of service. A presiding judge may, at his or her discretion, excuse a practicing attorney, a practicing physician or a person who is physically unable from jury service. No person interested in any issue to be tried shall be a juror.