However, it also requires that citizens give of their time to serve as jurors, and thus do their part to protect this cherished American right. While being called to jury duty can be viewed as an inconvenience, many citizens also find it to be a learning process and a rewarding experience as well as a civic responsibility. Here is some basic information to help when you receive a summons to jury duty. Jury Trials Trials allow two or more parties to have their dispute settled by a court. A jury is a body of ordinary citizens sworn to make an impartial decision based on the evidence or information presented during a trial.
Jurors serve in two kinds of cases - civil and criminal.
Lists of Potential Jurors Jurors' names are selected at random from lists of registered voters and individuals who have a driver's license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Your name will remain on the county jury list for one year. You may be called at any time, and perhaps more than once, during that year. You may be called for jury duty every other year. Your employer must let you off for jury duty.